First class good value accommodation in west Belfast

If you are looking for smart, good value accommodation in Belfast, Springfield Road might not immediately spring to mind. However, with the opening of Farset International, an impressive, community owned and managed facility, that is exactly what you find.

Set in private grounds on a small wildfowl reserve, Farset International boasts a panoramic view of the city by day, with the amazing lights of city life by night. The project is a spin-off from its parent company, Farset Youth and Community Development Ltd, which was established in 1982 to provide job opportunities and training for young people.

The idea for the hostel was first mooted in the 1980s during youth exchange visits between young people from West Belfast and their peers from a number of European cities. At the time, mainly as a result of political unrest, youth hostel accommodation in Belfast left much to be desired. Apart from only finding basic backpack facilities at many of the venues, restrictions meant that alcohol was generally forbidden on the premises and lights had to be out for 9.30pm – not much fun for young men and women from other European cities where they had become used to modern facilities and being treated like adults! Contrasted sharply with the superb accommodation on offer to the young people from Belfast on their European exchange visits, the hostel facilities in Belfast embarrassed local community leaders.

As Belfast began to return to peace and normality in the 1990s, the hostel idea was resurrected and driven by Jackie Hewitt, a well known community leader from the Shankill area of Belfast. He was supported throughout the process by the Reverend Roy Magee, the chairman of Farset YCD and also a key figure in the Northern Ireland peace process, along with board member Barney McCaughey.

They identified the potential upturn in the depressed Northern Ireland tourism industry and the need for quality conferencing, banqueting and overnight accommodation at affordable prices. It was also recognised that after many years of the troubles, West Belfast’s reputation had created a curiosity factor for large numbers of potential visitors to the city who would be interested in organised cultural tours to see the famous Belfast murals and learn about local political ideologies and conflict.

After identifying a derelict site on the picturesque banks of the Springfield dam overlooking Belfast, Jackie and his fellow directors of Farset YCD began to explore the feasibility of building a hostel using local labour.

Difficulties

The initial plan was to build the facility through the Action for Community Enterprise (ACE) scheme, a government sponsored work training programme that had been used by the organisation for a number of years. However, as with so many social economy projects, it wasn’t all plain sailing, and the first setback resulted in the collapse of the ACE scheme as a result of a change in government policy before any construction had commenced.

Added to this, potential funders including the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and government departments were not convinced of the need or the potential success of a hostel facility located in the upper Springfield Road, an interface area of Belfast that had borne the brunt of over 25 years of political upheaval and community conflict.

Undeterred, the organisers pushed forward with their plans for the innovative scheme to bring jobs and revitalisation to an area that had become synonymous with violence and division. This self-assurance had been forged from their experience of developing and managing social and economic regeneration projects during the worst period of civil unrest throughout the 1980s. They had successfully developed an enterprise centre for small business incubation units in the vicinity as well as a number of mediation and reconciliation programmes which had helped to bring a sense of normality to the area.

The hostel project received a real boost and encouragement when the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) agreed to commit substantial financial help to the venture, subject to approval and support by government in the form of an economic appraisal. Key to this support was Hugh McCloskey, the IFI development consultant who became a champion of the project and influenced other funders who were wavering in their commitment. Born and bred in west Belfast, he was convinced of the need for such a facility and his commitment and dedication was to become a crucial factor in the eventual success of the project.

But the whole application process dragged on for many months with a huge amount of work put in by Farset directors, most of it on a voluntary basis. Eventually, it became clear that the group’s endeavours were being frustrated as they found themselves pushed from pillar to post and burdened with the sheer weight of bureaucracy and in particular the appraisal process.

Indeed the organisers felt that some officials in government were actually opposed to their exciting plans for a flagship social economy project, as they were being forced through so many hoops. Also, as a result of these many delays, the original costs of the project continued to increase as the appraisal process went on.

To add insult to injury, the local further and higher education institution pulled the plug on their commitment to the project at the last minute. They had indicated an interest in becoming an integral part of the initiative, training unemployed people for the growing catering industry. They would also have been a major tenant in the new building providing much needed income for the venture.

These negative developments left board members reeling from the shock and gave ammunition to the cynics who appeared to be looking for an excuse to maintain and justify their position of opposition.

Eventually, the patience of Farset directors ran out and a letter was sent to all the major funders and supporters informing them that the plans for the development had been shelved. This caused shockwaves within the public and political sectors and it was at this juncture that political intervention by two politicians added a new energy and optimism into the seemingly hopeless situation that Farset faced.

Councillor Fred Cobain and Sir Reg Empey, who had become the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the New Northern Ireland Executive in 1999, met with the disillusioned Farset board and encouraged them not to give up but to persevere and pursue their dreams. A meeting was convened at the Assembly buildings in Stormont, attended by various government officials, and a deal was hammered out that gave the green light to fund the project.

Success

After many years of frustration Farset International finally opened its doors for business in 2003. The project costs of £2.25 million were met by a cocktail of funding from IFI, the Department of Social Department, Belfast European Partnership Board, as well as a loan from Ulster Community Investment Trust.

To date Farset International, which is more of a budget hotel than a hostel, has been a major success defying the critics and cynics as its reputation as a quality location continues to grow. The average occupancy rate since the official opening has exceeded 60% which is remarkable achievement considering the venture has been established in untried territory.

With a healthy turnover of nearly £400,000 in 2005, the Farset Company is also one of the biggest employers in the area with a staff team of 27 – a remarkable feat in one of the worst unemployment black spots in Belfast.

Patrons come from across the island of Ireland and international visitors have been flocking to the venue which offers ensuite twin rooms with TVs and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also a residents’ lounge, a self-catering kitchen, laundry and secure parking. The Foundry Restaurant and Mackie’s Bistro serve up excellent food and can cater for large and small on-site conferences.

At one such conference in 2005, US Senator George Mitchell, who had played such an important role in the Northern Ireland peace process, paid tribute to the excellent facility and the role it continues to play in cross-community and cross-border events.

In addition, the hosting of local and international peace-building programmes has been an important aspect in the growth of the facility as a neutral and safe venue.

Future Plans

As a result of the peace process, Belfast has undoubtedly become a vibrant and modern cosmopolitan European city, re-inventing itself as it emerges and develops from its unique past. Interestingly, the word Belfast is the anglicisation of Beal Feirste which if translated directly into English would read “mouth of the Farset”, the Farset being one of the smaller rivers that flow through Belfast from the adjacent Antrim mountains into the River Lagan.

The members of Farset International recognise the huge potential of increasing visitor numbers to Belfast, particularly in cultural tourism which it has to offer and are keen to exploit the warm hospitality and friendliness for which its people are famous. In this regard, the location of the hostel provides a safe and welcoming neutral venue, with a growing reputation as a popular accommodation destination.

A number of community organisations in the vicinity have developed plans in association with Farset to revitalise the adjoining Springfield dam as a tourist attraction by stocking it with trout.

As well as developing tourism, Farset aims to build on experiences and skills gained during the troubles in international mediation and conflict resolution, particularly with growing international interest in how the Northern Ireland peace process has evolved.

Lessons learned

Jackie Hewitt, who is now in overall control of Farset, highlighted some of the lessons that he and fellow board members learned as a result of their experiences.

He pointed to the vital role that project champions played at key stages over the years and expressed his gratitude to those “friendly faces” in organisations that were a constant help and encouragement during the difficult days. He acknowledged that the project would never have got off the ground without the political support mentioned earlier. He is also keen to mention that this support extended across the religious and political divide from people like Alex Maskey, the former Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast.

And while there were many months of frustration and at times, despair with government officials, he has nonetheless appreciated the problems and dilemmas that confront funders and government departments, particularly when dealing with a new idea in an untried location such as west Belfast that has had a history of political and community upheaval.

However, while during the entire process the message from the highest echelons of government was about “taking risks for peace”, Hewitt noted that the Farset experience clearly showed that “there is a civil service mentality that militates against officials taking risks lest they find themselves facing a Public Accounts Committee”. This attitude of vacillation and indecision was at the heart of the frustrations and difficulties experienced over the years resulting in the costs of the project spiralling, a situation which created a continuous, vicious circle of fluctuation and uncertainty.

On the other hand, there were people who were willing to take calculated risks in organisations such as the International Fund for Ireland and the Belfast European Partnership Board, funders that believed in the scheme and were willing to give Farset ‘a fair wind’ by offering vital support at key milestones during the process. And it was this encouragement that helped the Farset board members and staff to hold their nerve and cling to their vision during the bleakest of times.

One of the people who epitomised this spirit of doggedness and determination was the late Ann Brown MBE. Ann was the Farset administrator, a constant tower of strength who put her heart and soul into the development of the project but sadly, she never lived to see the completion of the impressive building. As Jackie Hewitt admitted, “without Ann’s input, the whole scheme may never have got off the ground”. As a testimony to her contribution to Farset, the Ann Brown Suite was named after her and there are plans for a trust to be established in her name to celebrate her life.