Mull hotel’s four-star upgrade will result in 20 new jobs

A £3 million project to upgrade the Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa to four-star standard has secured up to £510,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The number of jobs at the hotel is expected to increase by 20 to 40 with an increased turnover of 28 per cent forecast as improvements are made to guest rooms, public areas and grounds.

The Crerar-owned hotel at Craignure will have 75 redeveloped luxury bedrooms and bathrooms and new ‘generously proportioned’ sea view suites to complement the venue’s spa and 17-metre, sea-view swimming pool.

Morag Goodfellow, HIE area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said: ‘Tourism is hugely important to the economy of Argyll and the Islands, and indeed the wider Highlands and Islands region. High-value visitor accommodation is a vital part of the industry. It supports other local businesses, creates rural employment, and contributes to community resilience.

‘The upgrade of the Isle of Mull Hotel will bring the facility into line with other hotels in the group and enable it to target the growing market of higher spend visitors.

‘It will also create new jobs on Mull, including opportunities for younger people.’

Chris Wayne-Wills, chief executive officer of Crerar Hotels, said: ‘Crerar Hotels is injecting over £2.5m into this, and other improvements to the Isle of Mull Hotel, resulting in the development of more than 20 new jobs across the hotel. I’d like to thank the Muileachs for all of their support over the years and HIE which has provided us with this funding.’