Opening of new £15m hotel at Inverness Airport delayed until late February
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THE opening of a flagship new hotel at Inverness Airport has been delayed after vital cladding could not be delivered in time.
The £15 million, 130-bedroom Courtyard by Marriott hotel is just a two-minute walk from the airport terminal and is the only hotel within a five-mile radius.
Once it opens, it will create 40 new jobs. It was due to open in mid-November but that has now been pushed back to late February – at the earliest.
Work on completing the cladding, the canopy and external landscaping is now under way and officials are working closely with contractors on site to ensure all the required materials are in place and any issues are addressed to prevent further delays.
General manager Ina Davies, who formerly managed the Holiday Inn Express in Inverness, said: “Delays to the delivery of the cladding required to complete the exterior of the hotel have unfortunately led to a delay in our official opening – which is now set for late February.
“While we are disappointed that we were unable to open before the new year, our priority is ensuring that Inverness’s first Courtyard by Marriott is in perfect shape to welcome its first guests.
“The whole team is working hard to prepare for opening, with our employees undergoing all the training they need to give our guests nothing less than a first-class experience.”
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said it was unfortunate the hotel had not opened in time for the festive period, but added that this might not be such a huge issue for the operator.
It will be a useful base for leisure travellers who need to catch early morning flights, but he said the main trade was likely to come from business travellers – of which there are fewer at this time of year.
“It is a good addition for the airport, the city and the region overall,” he added.
“I think it has been a long-term ambition for the airport to get that facility opened up.”
Michael Golding, chief executive of the Visit Inverness Loch Ness tourism business improvement district, thought the eventual opening would be positive for the area.
He said: “There is a need for increased accommodation and the strain was felt during the previous season.
“Having it near the airport makes it more accessible.”
Tony Mackay, an Inverness-based economist, said: “The opening of the new hotel at Inverness Airport will be a very welcome development because the Inverness Airport Business Park has struggled to attract businesses since it was set up.
“The hotel may take away some business from the city centre but at the present time, the tourism industry in the Highlands is booming following the fall in the value of the pound after the vote to leave the EU. There are also other plans for new hotels in the city centre.
“I doubt if the hotel itself will help attract other developments to the business park but it is certainly a boost for the airport. It means that more people will spend money there.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart said: “The new Courtyard by Marriott will be a welcome addition to the Inverness hotel scene and it will provide an economic boom to the Highlands.”
Related article: PICTURES: See inside new Inverness Airport hotel
