Macdonald Hotels buys Aviemore resort from administrators
Macdonald Hotels has bought Aviemore Highland Resort out of administration after securing funding to continue with refurbishment and rebuilding plans.
The resort, situated in the Cairngorms National Park and which houses four hotels, 18 lodges and leisure facilities, has suffered financial difficulties for the past two years and faced being sold off as individual assets because of planning difficulties.
Macdonald Hotels struck a deal with administrators PriceWaterhouseCoopers on Friday after securing funding from Lloyds Banking Group and reaching agreements over planning.
As part of the deal the hotel group has committed to completing the refurbishment of the resorts four hotels and build a children`s `fun factory`, cinema and clubhouse at the Spey Valley Championship golf course.
McDonald Hotels executive chairman Donald Macdonald said: "It is time to put aside the baggage and troubles associated with this resort over the past 20 years and for all concerned to grasp the lifeline which the bank has given us.
"Tourism is the lifeblood of the Highlands and Aviemore and the Spey Valley offers unique natural beauty and facilities for all to enjoy. Our task, along with the ongoing support of the Cairngorm National Park Authority (CNPA), is to establish the resort as a world class leisure and conference destination that we can all be proud of and one which will help maximise the full potential of the area."
Gerry McGee, chief executive of Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort said the announcement was `good news` for all involved at the resort.
"It will secure the 300 jobs currently in place and, as we progress with our development and refurbishment plans, further opportunities will arise, " he said.
"Despite the current economic difficulties the resort and the village as a whole has much to offer and now that the debate surrounding the planning process is behind us we can look forward, along with the local community, to what I believe will be an exciting opportunity for all who live, work and visit here."
