Airds Hotel & Restaurant in Port Appin is to join the hospitality portfolio of The Fusion Group of Companies, creating an operating company, Legacy Property Airds Ltd, to run Airds Hotel & Restaurant.
Fusion, which provides a range of support services to hospitality businesses across Scotland, from management to reservations support, already works with leading brands such as the four star No 1 Royal Gardens Apartments in Stirling. Its owned properties include The Isle of Skye Guest House.
This latest deal with Airds Hotel & Restaurant is based on a business model specifically for SME’S which Fusion has developed through its relationships with the owners of No 1 Royal Gardens Apartments in Stirling, which offers luxury self catering apartments, and Loch Ness Guest House in Fort Augustus. Fusion took these businesses into its managed portfolio in 2019 and 2018 respectively, with its specialist division, Accommodation Services, handling all reservations.
“Bringing Airds Hotel & Restaurant into our portfolio is a significant piece of business for us,” said Alex McKie, Group Managing Director of Fusion. “With an array of awards to its name, it has a proven track record in attracting an upmarket foodie clientele in the beautiful setting of Port Appin, a clientele we will grow and further develop with efficient management, staff development & recruitment, together with our Accommodation Services division boosting bookings with their expertise in reservations and marketing. We will also be carrying out a £400k refurbishment over the next two winters, during which time the Hotel & Restaurant will remain open and trading.”
“Normally in our sector, a business management and profit sharing model is only applied to a larger 60 bedroom plus property, but we have developed this for smaller operators, knowing that we have the skill and expertise to make it work. It can be particularly useful for an absent owner who wishes to concentrate on other business areas, but wants his hospitality business to be well run and maximised in potential throughout,” said Alex.
“For Fusion, it’s once again an example of our “disruptive” nature in this sector which constantly sees us coming up with new services which benefit and assist hospitality owners at what has been the most difficult of times, with many not yet out of the woods.”
Alex added that, together with EHM as one of several partner companies that has worked with Fusion before, he was looking forward to working closely with Head Chef Calum Innes, a keen forager and advocate of the finest local produce.
“Calum has ambition to add another star to the Airds offering,” he said. “The fine dining restaurant, together with its Whisky Bar, has an excellent reputation, with a Tasting Menu amongst one of its many attractions.”
“He is a real talent and we’re naturally keen to lend him all the support he needs,” added Alex.
“We’re particularly keen to develop concierge services too with The Airds Experience, offering guests the very best of the area, from seafood experiences, to sightseeing, private boat hire, helicopter trips, distillery visits, and more.
“Recruitment for key new roles has already commenced.”