Plans to develop Custom House restated

APEX Hotels has restated plans to develop Custom House in Dundee and refurbish its neighbouring City Quay hotel.

The company reported another strong year of trading, with turnover up 7% at £61.3 million and underlying pre-tax profit up 11.8% at £10.3m.

The Dundee projects were confirmed as part of the hotel group’s further growth plans.

The company said strong trading across its nine-hotel portfolio, which spans London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, and new room openings were key contributors performance.

The opening of Apex City of Glasgow in September 2015 and the 30-bedroom extension to Apex City of London saw room stock rise by 134 rooms, with valuations up by £10m to £336m.

Chief executive Angela Vickers said: “We are proud of our continued growth in recent years, defying challenging market conditions, and 2017 promises to be a very exciting time for us.

“Key to our success is our ongoing commitment to providing a guest experience that rivals t hat of global brands to the 2016 — distinguishing Apex Hotels in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

She added: “We are also set to develop Custom House on Dundee’s Waterfront next to our existing Apex City Quay.

“It is important for us to continue investing in our existing portfolio and we are planning further bedroom expansion at Apex Temple Court in London, as well as refurbishment totalling £6m across our City of London, Grassmarket and Dundee hotels.”

Discussions are in progress with Dundee City Council’s planning department about Custom House.

A crowd waits to get into a gig (top); The View on stage and at Radio 1’s Big Weekend (above).