THE potential of the new Jurys Inn to be opened in Belfast next year is as strong today as it was when the decision was announced last March, the Jurys Hotel Group chairman has said.

Mr Walter Beatty, speaking at the group's annual meeting in Jurys Hotel in Dublin yesterday, said the strong pattern of trading announced earlier this year, had continued.

The inns market has proved successful beyond expectations and offers the group a great opportunity for expansion, Mr Beatty told shareholders.

Discussions are under way with a developer to establish a 150 room Jurys Inn in Limerick City on a city centre site on the banks of the River Shannon.

Finance for the development, if it goes ahead, would be provided by taking advantage of tax breaks that exist in designated areas, with the group renting the hotel and having the option of purchasing it, the chairman said.

The 400 capacity Jurys Custom House Inn, in the Financial Services Centre, Dublin, will open for business next Monday and bookings have been very good", he said.

The decision to locate in Belfast was made because of the strong business potential of the inns concept, particularly given the excellent city centre site. This had remained unchanged.

Mr Beatty said the group would like to have a presence in mainland Europe.

We will go there, but we are not going to rush in to put a flag on a map and find out later that it is going to cost shareholders."

The shareholders voted for a final dividend of 6.3p per share. They also voted to determine that the ordinary remuneration of the directors of the company would not exceed in aggregate £300,000 per annum. Mr Beatty pointed out that this was a maximum.

The coming year would see further growth as per the group's corporate strategy, with prudent management, measured growth and building of the brand.

Jurys benefits from its exposure to the strong Irish economy through its corporate and commercial business, tourism, event related activity and weekend breaks business," he said.

The exposure to the Irish economy is complemented by the group's presence in the UK, where we have bought well in locations which are benefiting from strengthening local economies."