SHOCK AS THE DOORS CLOSE AT THE ROYAL HOTEL
AFTER 300 years of trading, the doors closed on Forfar's historic Royal Hotel on Monday, leaving staff and the local community stunned by the loss of an important facility in the town.
News of its imminent closure first emerged last Tuesday when staff were informed the days were numbered for the 21-bedroom hotel.
Members of Forfar Rotary Club - which has met regularly in the establishment since the club was formed in the 1940s - learned they would be looking for a new meeting place when they gathered last Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, the situation was confirmed but was not clarified when a statement was issued by the hotel's owners, Oxford Hotels and Inns.
It read: "The Royal Hotel is a tenanted business within the Oxford Hotels and Inns Management Limited.
"Oxford Hotels and Inns has no control over the operation of the Royal Hotel or the management of the business. For further information regarding the Royal Hotel, please contact the leaseholders direct."
Open market
The owners would not be drawn on whether or not they were seeking a new tenant or if the hotel would be put on the open market.
Whilst the Dispatch and Herald made attempts to contact the leaseholder, he was unwilling to comment at the time of going to press on Tuesday (yesterday).
However, his legal representative contacted our office to explain a full statement would be issued at the beginning of next week.
As the doors finally closed on Monday, many were left wondering what the future held in store for the building, its staff, and the many visitors who have used its facilities over the years.
Ian Findlay of Forfar Rotary Club spoke of the shock felt by Rotary members over the decision to close the doors.
He said: "Forfar Rotary Club was astounded to learn that their meeting on Wednesday night was to be their last in the Royal Hotel.
"Great sympathy was felt for the staff who, in the face of losing their jobs, carried out their duties admirably.
"A small collection was made during the meal and handed over to the staff.
"The closure of the Royal Hotel is yet another casualty of the current economic downturn and a loss to the community, many of whom will have pleasant memories of the times when it was in its heyday."
Shocked
Isobel Ross, chairman of Forfar Community Council, stated everybody was "shocked" to hear of the hotel's closure.
She said: "This is another blow to Castle Street. Apart from the loss of the hotel in the town centre, the building has a long history.
"It has a reputation too as a wonderful place with its reception room for functions.
"We need a good hotel and I would hope very much that there could be some sort of sale, re-lease or programme of work to bring it back up into the forefront for the town."
Many have expressed concern about the implications the closure of the town's largest hotel will have on the local economy - concerns Angus Council have been quick to address.
Councillor David May, convener of Angus Council economic development said: "The announcement of the immediate closure of the Royal Hotel is bad news for Forfar, and particularly for the 14 staff employed at the hotel who are set to lose their jobs.
"The closure of the hotel dramatically reduces the number of hotel beds in the town, which in turn affects our capacity to accommodate tourists to the area. We do not relish the prospect of a large, empty hotel building in the centre of Forfar.
"Soon after the closure was announced, officers from our economic development team made contact with the hotel manager and, along with officers from the Job Centre, offered advice and guidance to the staff, including volunteering the services of the Towards Employment team.
"In addition, contact has been made with Oxford Hotels and Inns Management Ltd offering support in marketing the property for hotel use".
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Weather for Forfar
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
