Europa Hotel's Birthday Makes BBC TV

A Belfast icon and veteran of The Troubles that is "as sacred and valuable as the Titanic slipway" is celebrating an anniversary this New Year - with a television special already underway as part of the birthday events.

Hastings Hotels is to mark the 40th year of the Europa Hotel - said to be a timeless classic of Belfast city centre - and a long term favourite of those visiting the city, having hosted some of the biggest names in politics, film, music and journalism.

"The colonnaded elegance we enjoy and celebrate in the expanded Europa today is Sir Billy Hasting's lasting achievement, enhancing and preserving an icon as sacred and valuable as the Titanic slipway or the music of Van Morrison," commented Chris Ryder, the Sunday Times writer, Irish Times journalist and author.

Indeed, the Europa Hotel, which opened in July 1971 at the height of NI's devastating Troubles, has had a rich and colourful history.

Once dubbed the world's most bombed hotel, it was equally famous for the Penthouse Poppets, the Whip and Saddle Bar, and the Emerald Suite as the 1990s nightclub, Paradise Lost, with the hotel always offering the very best in entertainment and service.

According to Julie Maguire, the Marketing Director and daughter of the Hastings Hotel's founder, it has developing and evolved along with the city, so that the property today is a focal point of bustling Belfast life.

"Situated next to the Grand Opera House and close to the city's finest shops, bars and restaurants, the Europa Hotel is ideally situated for exploring the city," she enthused as a year of celebration kicked-off.

A specially commissioned TV programme is also at an advanced stage - 'Someone in the City is 40' - will feature the likes of former Penthouse Poppets and even input from current Belfast Lord Mayor, Pat Convery - who was a barman in the Europa in the 1980s.

"It will go out on BBC NI in the Autumn, with filming due to start this January and go on until May, with Waddell Media - who made the successful 'Lobby Lives' documentary in the hotel - behind the camera," revealed Julie.

Sir William Hastings himself commented: "We are delighted to be celebrating the 40th anniversary for such a symbolic Belfast property.

"The Europa has stood the test of time and today is stronger than ever," noting that the Europa Hotel officially joined the stables of Hastings Hotels, on Tuesday 3rd August 1993.

Prior to its purchase the property was owned by Grand Metropolitan Hotels - who briefly and unsuccessfully renamed the hotel - which became 'home' to some of the world's most senior journalists through Belfast's turbulent years.

However, following its acquisition Hastings Hotels decided to close the Europa Hotel for the first time in its 22-year history - even though the many bombings and attempted bombings had up to then failed to do so.

Billy Hastings set about investing £8 million in its refurbishment, rebuilding, restoration and modernisation, ensuring that the hotel was to glow again.

Since reopening in 1994 the Europa Hotel has gained worldwide acclaim, the most famous visitor being President William 'Bill' Jefferson Clinton and the First Lady, Hillary Roddham Clinton on November 30th 1995.

The couple's visit to the hotel signified the confidence placed on Belfast's flagship hotel and launched its profile worldwide and the suite in which the famous couple stayed has even been renamed the Clinton Suite.

Julie Maguire recalled: "There are VIPs aplenty still making their way in at the front door as they arrive in peacetime Belfast to attend political meetings, do business, appear on television programmes or perform at the Opera House next door.

"Other celebrity guests include Sir Bob Geldof, Victoria Beckham, Elvis Costello, Brad Pitt, Ewan McGregor, and even Julia Roberts who ran to the Europa to escape publicity over her ailing marriage," she said.

Julie revealed that the 40th year will include a specially commissioned Europa 40th logo and a '40 Winks At £40' discounted room promotion and will even feature 1970's dishes such as Chicken In A Basket and Peach Melba as well as a choice of the few 1970's wines that were then available, such as Mateus Rose, Mouton Cadet, and Libfraumilch.

She said that the 2011 anniversary will see many more events and promotions as the year progresses: "Watch this space," she enthused.

(BMcC/GK)