Amongst other redevelopments happening within the City, one which was set to lift the entire landscape was the total refurbishment of the former Savoy Cinema and Cupid’s nightclub site, where Bellini’s exists today.

The site, located on Monaghan Street, has been in disuse for some time and enrichment to the exterior look of the building was very much favoured to rejuvenate this part of the City.

The development of Newry as a City on many different scales and levels certainly became a reality with the multi-million pound investment made on the state-of-the-art multi-faceted and versatile entertainment complex of Bellini’s. Four of the top business men in the North of Ireland with a string of successful businesses to their name secured the large investment in January 2005.  These including well-known business owners Michael McLaughlin from Donegal, local man Mark Matthews of Hilltown and Kieran and Adrian Bradley from County Derry. Between the four business men they boast many lucrative business ventures which include the award winning Walsh’s Hotel, Maghera.

The 36,000 sq feet building located on Monaghan Street has been an abiding eye sore for a long time and is now finally got a total facelift and interior overhaul. A key change for the rejuvenation of both Merchants Quay, Monaghan Street and the surrounding area.

A Venetian interior and exterior design has been adopted for the new venue. This design incorporates one of the main historic features of the City of Newry, the Canal. Moreover, the City of Venice also demonstrably portrays Canals as a main historical feature which creates a distinctive link between the two.

The entire venue intends to offer something for all ages, paying attention to both the youth and older populations of the Newry and Mourne area, hosting attractions and incentives to all, from music type to food and entertainment.

The site holds many happy memories for local people and the new owners wish to make it a special thing for local people - concentrating on satisfying locals but also bringing visitors into the area by providing excellent restaurant and entertainment facilities.

At the early stages we wanted to embrace the people of the City by involving them in the development. One method was by running a competition to help us name the premises and the lucky winner was Martina Mc Aloon who came up the name Bellini’s influenced by the City of Venice. Martina won a Weekend in Disneyland, Paris for her and her family.

With the people of Newry renowned not only for the warmth of their welcome, but also for their willingness to embrace new ideas, Newry as a City has developed more rapidly and the new owners definitely want to add to this growing development by adding to the existing excellent products available already in the city. From an employment point of view the establishment provides employment for the growing number of young people in the area in addition to local hospitality graduates from the Newry Institute.

It is hoped that the establishment will act as a catalyst for further economic change in the region and will hopefully establish the City as the gateway from the South to the North and make Newry the place to be from an economic and tourism viewpoint. Consequently, encouraging business visitors to the area by providing additional amenities, and boasting employment levels.