Newcastle-based Ultimate Leisure (UL) has bought three Belfast venues from previous operator, Bill Wolsey, for £4.2m.

UL has purchased two bars – Bar Bacca and Irene and Nan’s – along with La Lea nightclub. The three nightspots are all situated in the Franklin Street area of Belfast.

The three venues were not officially on the market for sale, but it is understood that Wolsey agreed to a deal after being approached by the managing director of UL, Bob Senior.

UL have also recently opened the Beach Club at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast and have confirmed that the staff at all three venues will be keeping their jobs.

Bob Senior said: “We’ve already opened the Beach Club in Belfast and we like the Belfast market. It has a lot of similarities to the Newcastle market, which we understand very well, where people like to go out, have a good time, a good drink and enjoy life. You can see a lot of that geordie enjoyment of life in the Irish attitude too, particularly in Belfast and we’re delighted with the way in which the Beach club has already taken off.” Details: www.ultimateleisure.com