Botox is becoming increasingly popular

Hot tubs and botox have taken on a new meaning for the Orange Order in a County Down town.

For an historic Orange Hall in the heart of mainly nationalist Downpatrick has been sold and is being transformed into a beauty parlour.

The 108-year-old hall in Church Street has a rich history in the Orange Order and unionism.

It was used as a platform for meetings by former Northern Ireland prime minister and East Down MP Brian Faulkner, William Johnston of Ballykilbeg, and former South Down MP Enoch Powell.

But Belfast solicitor Louis Bannon has now bought the property marking the end of an era for the building.

Mr Bannon said he was attracted to the hall by its size and location, believing it would suit a beauty parlour.

"There is a demand for it within Northern Ireland. It would involve hot tubs, jazuzzi, saunas and the full range of beauty treatments.

"There would be a daily spa including beauty products."

The Orange Order will have to find a new home in Downpatrick

However, he said the Orange Order had removed most of its regalia from the building - some of which would be placed in musems - ahead of the beauty parlour opening next year.

"I suppose property changes, I can't see the two combining. It's the end of an era and the start of another," he said.

"The building will take on a different apperance, a different type of business."

Downpatrick Orange Hall is one of the most famous in Ireland.

Several attempts were made to burn it down during 30 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

At one stage, the hall was home to four Orange lodges. But with population changes, that has shrunk to one.

Rising rates, maintenance and insurance costs have been blamed for the decision to sell the hall.