Park Avenue’s former owner passes away at 84

The former owner of Belfast’s iconic Park Avenue Hotel, Billy Stephens, has passed away at the age of 84.

Biilly Stephens’ late father built the iconic Holywood Road venue in 1959 and it survived decades of the Troubles, before eventually being sold to Bill Wolsey’s Beannchor Group in 2019.

It will now be replaced with a ‘social-led’ development comprising 75 apartments, 11 townhouses and 4 apartments, along Sefton Drive.

As well as being a respected hotelier, Mr Stephens was a long-time director of Glentoran Football  Club, with s statement from the club saying it is “deeply saddened” at the passing of its “lifelong supporter” on Tuesday morning.

“He enjoyed every minute [of his life],” said Gordon Scott, former secretary of the Glens.

“We were fortunate enough to qualify for Europe every year, so we went away on trips together — Paris, Sofia, you name it — Billy was a great socialiser and enjoyed life to the full. He was a very generous man at all times.”

In an online obituary, Glentoran stated: “Billy — long term owner of the much missed Park Avenue Hotel, venue for so many of the most memorable occasions in Glentoran’s history — was a Glentoran Director from the late 1980s until 2001.

“During that period he was a major player within the club during some spells of great success on the field and virtually annual participation in Europe. We pass on the club’s deepest and most sincere condolences to Billy’s family circle at this saddest of times.”

Funeral details for Mr Stephens will be announced later.