Property developer Ardent Group has transformed flats in Peterhead’s Chapel Street into a new 63-bedroom hotel following a £3m refurbishment. The hotel, which officially opened for business in March 2017, is operated by Travelodge.
Ardent Group is a commercial and residential property developer that specialises in acquisition and development projects in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company has offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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The Peterhead development represented Ardent Group’s first hotel for Travelodge and it is confident of adding to Travelodge’s portfolio by sourcing other sites across Scotland in 2017 and beyond.
Robert Keane, director at Ardent Group, said: “We’re delighted to bring a national brand such as Travelodge to Peterhead and, in the process, support the town’s economic development goals. As well creating jobs, the new hotel will generate extra spend in the wider local economy.
“We’ve established a good relationship with Travelodge and would be pleased to work with its management on other projects in the future. We have a number of developments in the pipeline and are always looking for new opportunities or partnerships.”
Ardent used more than 150 local workers on the Peterhead project, which features five disabled rooms and parking for 24 cars. In addition, two shop units are now available either side of the hotel, which has a listed façade. There has been interest in both units, although deals have yet to be completed.
Tony O’Brien, Travelodge UK development director, said: “We were delighted to work with Ardent Group in successfully converting a former block of flats into a brand new Travelodge hotel in the heart of Peterhead town centre. Scotland remains a key growth area for Travelodge, which has been fuelled by businesses looking to reduce travel costs and the new generation independent leisure travellers.”
Peterhead councillor Alan Gardiner said: “The ‘before and after’ of the Chapel Street building is there for all too see – it now looks fantastic. The arrival of Travelodge has made a huge difference, and hopefully other national brands will move into the units and help to attract more people into the town centre. This is a great example of everyone – myself, local businesses, Ardent Group – working together to bring a project to fruition.”
Aberdeenshire Lord Provost Hamish Vernal officially opened the new hotel on Tuesday (March 28, 2017). At least 15 jobs have been created at the Travelodge.
Ardent’s recent track record includes overseeing the refurbishment of the Royal Athenaeum building in Aberdeen city centre, and the completion of a joint venture for an oil and gas operator’s headquarters in the Granite City.
Ardent hopes to move forward with a large hotel development in Shetland, student accommodation in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, and a 300-plus residential development in the Central Belt.
