A Canadian hotel group is eyeing further opportunities within the UK, backed by an eight-figure refinancing package, ahead of the opening of its third British hotel in Aberdeen.
The family-owned business, which is the leading hospitality group in its native Canada with over 40 leisure venues across the country, is currently investing over £20m in its third UK hotel in Aberdeen.
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The 218-room hotel is due to open in early 2018, creating over 200 jobs, and marks another flagship development for Sandman as it introduces its brand into Scotland. The hotel will be on the former Robert Gordon University’s School of Computing on St Andrew Street
Mitch Gaglardi, director of Sandman and whose family have owned and run the business since establishing its first site over 40 years ago, said the huge success of its Newcastle hotel has been a key factor in the group’s ongoing UK expansion plans.
Since first purchasing the Newcastle site in 2009 ahead of its redevelopment, Sandman has been supported by law firm Sintons, and has recently secured refinancing from Allied Irish Bank (GB) to help it push on with its ambitions.
Mr Gaglardi said: “We have plans to expand further in the UK – we are looking at a number of sites and have a few irons in the fire. We have successfully been operating here for a number of years now in Newcastle and at Gatwick and the time is right to build on that.
“Our Aberdeen development is a serious investment and will be a legacy property for us, one that takes us into another new part of the UK. It is a large-scale development with extensive conference and banqueting facilities, but it will replicate the family-friendly atmosphere and great food, service and décor that we are known for throughout the group.
“Our Newcastle hotel continues to be a huge success and was a great first step into the UK for us. It’s a fantastic city and it’s good to continue to work with specialists there.”
