Family marks four decades at hotel
The team at a Perthshire hotel have been celebrating a special anniversary despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coupar Angus Hotelier Alan Bannerman has brought his staff together to celebrate 40 years of ownership by his family at The Red House Hotel.
Dating back to Victorian times when Coupar Angus had a vibrant train station, the Red House Hotel is the last remaining hotel in the town.
The building was originally called The Railway Hotel. When the trains ceased to run, the neighbouring potato store and railway yard was purchased by Alan’s father Norman, and his Uncle Telford, from then owners, Scottish Brewers, in 1979, with the two men calling their business partnership, Nortel Leisure.
Redeveloping the building back into a hotel, which they called The Red House Hotel, the business opened its doors to guests in 1980.
Alan’s father Norman is still involved in the business today, but sadly his Uncle Telford died shortly after the hotel first opened.
Alan, together with his siblings Ian and Susan, formed a partnership with his dad, and mum Moyra, to continue to run the hotel together.
Over the past 20 years, Alan has invested over £400,000 in the hotel to create accessible, en suite rooms and a number of leisure facilities such as a gym, sauna, squash court and sports bar.
Alan said: “It’s not been the year we wanted but we are still very grateful to be here in Coupar Angus running this hotel which, as well as being a landmark in the town, is actually one of Coupar Angus’s largest employers.
“We’re open all year round and have a strong reputation for good old fashioned personal service, and for retaining the same staff over the years.
“I am sure my Uncle Telford would be very proud of how well The Red House Hotel has fared for itself over the past four decades, which have seen huge changes in customers’ short breaks and leisure habits.
“It’s a shame that so many other hotels in the town have ended up closing. This is a stunning part of
Scotland with so much to see and do, from hillwalking and golfing, to visiting distilleries and Castles.
“We’re only 45 minutes from the Glenshee Ski Centre, and the new V&A in Dundee is a very accessible day trip from here too. We want to showcase the whole area, and can only hope for 2021 to see a sustained and lasting recovery for the whole sector.”
Alan added: “I’d like to pay tribute to my team, with my assistant manager Sarah Cooper having worked for me for 24 years.
“She, and all my staff, are doing a brilliant job at what’s been a very challenging time.”
Alan also owns The Dalmore Inn and Number 31 at Wellmeadow in Blairgowrie.