Latest news with #GeorgeHotel
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Landmark hotel in same family for seven generations for sale
This is a hotel that has been in the same family 165 years, and an appeal was then made for people to rally round while a buyer is sought for the business. The George Hotel, which is just yards from the Loch Fyne shore in Inverary, was overwhelmed by historical debts. The debts impacted the critical cash flow of the business, the administrators said. Around 60 jobs were put at risk. The hotel is near the shores of the loch. (Image: Google) The news about the George Hotel came in recent weeks with the industry on a precipice as a new wave of tax increases were due to come into force at the time. I know of one hospitality business with a head count of 30 adding £20,000 a year to outgoings on its national insurance column alone. For longstanding companies that are more than just businesses, they are a part of the community and often significant employers, it has been a difficult time in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The costs of Brexit, not least in staffing, continue. Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour government, came under fire after the Spring Statement for not doing enough to help and leaving the outlook bleak for many. Stephen Montgomery, director of the Scottish Hospitality Group, said that "the Chancellor did not even mention the hospitality industry once". He said: "The reality is hospitality businesses up and down the country are facing a tax bombshell of nearly £3.5bn, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement has done nothing to allay the danger of job losses and closures across the nation's pubs, hotels, and restaurants." In the case of the George Hotel, "the difficult decision [was taken] as a result of historical debts which were crippling the cash flow of the business", said Thomas McKay, of Begbies Traynor, who is overseeing the trade and sale process. "The business has been in the Clark family for seven generations and their priority was to safeguard the jobs and future of the 60 full and part-time employees. "The hotel has a fantastic history and beautiful location, offering excellent accommodation and food." READ MORE: He added: "We ask the local community and customers further afield who wish to use the hotel, as well as the subscribers to the hotel - over 25,000 of them - to continue to support and visit the venue as usual as we seek to find a buyer for the business as a going concern." In the wider picture, more stays were recorded in Scottish hotels in February compared to the same time the year before, but the RSM Hotels found profits were down as cost pressures continue. The data, by Hotstats and RSM UK, shows occupancy of Scottish hotels increased slightly from 68% to 69.1% year-on-year in February. Stuart McCallum, partner and head of consumer markets in Scotland at RSM UK, said the future picture looked worrying for many businesses working in the sector. "Looking ahead," he said, "the increase in costs from the rise in employer's national insurance, and the national minimum wage rise, continue to cause concern for many. "The rise in minimum wage potentially has a ripple effect that is felt throughout all staff, as others higher up the pay scale expect to see their salaries rise accordingly. "As we are already seeing revenue per room reducing, these further cost increases could prove difficult to swallow for many hotel owners." Thomas McKay, a partner at Begbies Traynor, was supervising business operations as the hotel business continued to trade 'in the normal manner, providing accommodation, food and public house services, while efforts are made to find a buyer on the open market 'for the 165-year-old boutique hotel and inn. Administrators overseeing the sale have appointed Colliers to market the business and property in Inveraray for offers over £2.85 million. Colliers said it would be leading the search for a buyer for the waterside hotel, bar and restaurant business, which stands on a one-acre site on the western shore of the loch. There are also five residential properties for sale as part of the administration, situated adjacent to the hotel and on Inveraray's main street, with a total asking price of around £750,000. Potential buyers and interested parties were urged to make inquiries direct to Colliers' Glasgow office. This article appeared in Business HQ Monthly
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stormtroopers descend on Oxfordshire town for Make-A-Wish
Jez Allinson with his Star War character assistants at the Wallingford event (Image: Jez Allinson) An Oxfordshire town got a visit from Star Wars' Darth Vader, Stormtroopers and more this weekend in a hugely successful charity event. The Running stormtrooper, also known as Jez Allinson, visited The George Hotel in Wallingford on Sunday for an event raising money for children's charity Make-A-Wish. It's the latest on the beloved character's exploits around the UK, which has so far raised more than £83,000 for children's charities. READ MORE: Oxfordshire racing stable assistant found dead at home With the sell-out event in Wallingford, including ticket sales, a raffle and three auctions, Mr Allinson thinks that an additional £2,300 has been raised, bringing the total up to more than £85K. ADVERTISEMENT He said: "The George Hotel were brilliant, they donated the function room and we had all the tables and everything laid out. Stay connected to the heart of Oxford for less! 🚨 Our flash sale is ON: get trusted local news for just £5 for 5 months or 40 per cent off an annual subscription. Don't miss out — subscribe now! 🗞️👇 — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) April 29, 2025 "It pretty much looked like a Make-A-Wish wedding by the time I was finished with it! "I'm really, really pleased with the money raised. The whole evening went so well." He thanked the "brilliant and generous" businesses who donated prizes for the raffle held at the family-friendly event. ADVERTISEMENT READ MORE: Oxford University receives share of £1.1m for new project Described as a "wonderfully unique event," Jez shared the Running Stormtrooper Story, "one of the most positive and inspirational Star Wars fan stories in the Galaxy. In the past, he's run the London Marathon, Ultra Runs at Pinewood Studios, and took on a 1000-mile challenge in 2020. In Wallingford, Jez was supported by several Star Wars characters, and auctioned off must-have prizes for franchise fans, including a framed Return of the Jedi 1982 storyboard donated by PropStore.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Revised plans for Huddersfield's George Hotel submitted
Revised plans for Grade II-listed hotel submitted 13 minutes ago Share Save Julia Bryson BBC News, Yorkshire Share Save Kirklees Council The George Hotel is Grade II listed and has already undergone restoration works Revised plans for the renovation of a landmark Huddersfield hotel have been submitted by the council. The Grade II-listed George Hotel, which has been vacant since 2013, was bought by Kirklees Council in 2020 as part of its plans to transform the town centre. The authority said the revised plans came after a large amount of restoration work had already been completed in preparation for the renovation. The updated proposals include increasing the number of rooms from 91 to 108. The council said expanding the capacity would enable it to accommodate more guests and generate more income to repay its £30m investment. Once restored, the hotel will be managed by internationally renowned hotelier Radisson. Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said: "The George Hotel plays such a key role in Huddersfield's past, and for people travelling by rail, it will always be one of the very first buildings to welcome you as you enter the town centre. "Once rejuvenated, the hotel will be perfectly placed to thrive and channel current investment back into the local economy." Kirklees Council The revised plans include increasing the number of rooms from 91 to 108 Turner said the new plans for the George, which form part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, marked another step towards the council's vision for the town "becoming a reality". "The recently opened leisure complex – the Light at Kingsgate, together with the enhancements to the public realm on New Street and St Peter's Gardens and the eagerly anticipated Our Cultural Heart will all enhance the high street," he said. "External investments like the University of Huddersfield's National Health Innovation Campus, the West Yorkshire Investment Zone, and the Transpennine Route Upgrade are helping to put Huddersfield on the map." Kirklees Council The hotel is one of the first buildings visitors see when arriving by rail Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
