Gretna Green Ltd adds Gretna Hall hotel to portfolio
The family business, which owns Smiths and Greens of Gretna hotels and the town's famous tourist attraction the Blacksmiths's Shop - situated in the grounds of Gretna Hall - has taken over the 97-bedroom hotel from Valad Property Group.
Alasdair Houston head of Gretna Green Ltd, said the hotel, which had been run by hotel management company Oyster Hotel Group for Valad Property Group, would be refurbished to help restore it to its former glory.
“The team working at Gretna Hall have done a great job but for many years there has been no clear leadership and vision for the future," he said.
"The business has not been getting the love, care and attention that it deserves. We hope to put that right and offer opportunities for existing and new members of staff to develop and join us on our journey as the business grows. There will be many challenges ahead but I believe that much will be achieved with a clear vision, good communication and great teamwork.”
Gretna Hall is the third hotel acquired by Gretna Green Ltd in 10 years. The company bought Smiths hotel in 2006 before acquiring Greens at Gretna (formerly Garden House) out of administration in 2014.
A spokesperson for the company said the latest acquisition was because of its heritage and close proximity to the Blacksmith's Shop - Gretna's best-known marriage venue - rather than its search for more hotels.
"As owners of the famous Blacksmiths Shop, long associated with the original run-away weddings, our business, which has been established here since 1885, now takes full ownership of the heritage of Gretna Green and as custodians we take very seriously our role in the next phase of Gretna Green’s history. That is our priority and at this stage there is no intention to expand our portfolio further afield," she said.
