Historic hotel set to reopen its doors

AN Angus hotel with its roots in the 18th Century is to reopen to the public after seven years.

The Royal Hotel in Forfar closed suddenly in 2010 and was left to decay as a procession of interested parties passed on the chance to buy.

Its closure led to the loss of around 20 full and part-time jobs.

Once owned by Oxford Inns and then Bespoke Hotels, water damage and lack of care and attention had made the Castle Street premises unattractive to prospective buyers.

But, after two years of work on the hotel and a successful remodel of the nightclub next door, owners Donald and Maria Stewart are putting the finishing touches to the property and public opening is imminent.

“Over the past two years we have undertaken a major upgrade and refurbishment of this grand old building,” said Mr Stewart.

“We now look forward to opening the business and we are thrilled to be returning the Royal and its heritage back to the town.”

Staff were shocked by the closure of the hotel, which Oxford Hotels and Inns Management Ltd was unable to sell for five years.

Mr Stewart, the local publican behind the Old Mason’s Arms and Bar Central, bought the former coaching inn from Bespoke Hotels for an undisclosed sum and took possession of the keys in April 2015.