De Vere Group to open hotel in Aberdeen

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 04/02/2013 17:18

ONE of Britain’s leading hotel groups has announced plans to open its first Scottish hotel in Aberdeen.

The De Vere Group is planning to site its first hotel North of the border at the city’s Prime Four Business Park in Kingswells as part of the chain’s Urban Village Resorts division And two more hotels are planned for Edinburgh and Glasgow over the next five years as part of De Vere’s Scottish expansion plans.

A company spokeswoman said: “Construction of what could be the first hotel in Scotland for De Vere Village Urban Resorts could begin in summer 2013, subject to detailed planning and licensing consent being granted. Further hotels are planned for Edinburgh and Glasgow over the next five years as part of De Vere’s expansion plans in Scotland.

“The plan for Aberdeen at the Prime Four Business Park is to create a 148 bedroom hotel with multiple restaurant, bar and leisure facilities. This hotel will redefine tourism in the city and help support the burgeoning business traveller market as well as support the development of the weekend leisure market.

“In addition the De Vere Village at Kingswells will operate as a hub for the local community and provide much needed leisure and hospitality facilities that can be used throughout the week by those living close to the hotel”

As part of their Aberdeen hotel plans, De Vere are also working with Aberdeen City Council to explore the opportunity of establishing a “De Vere Academy” in the city to offer work based training for the next generation of hospitality workers in Scotland

The spokeswoman said: “De Vere are proud to work with local and national government to take on people seeking to enter or return to the workplace in a growth industry for the benefit of all who operate in the hospitality sector.

“If successful the Academy will help battle unemployment for the youth of Aberdeen City and Shire providing them with an opportunity to delve into a career in hospitality.”

Robert Barclay Cook, chief executive of De Vere Village Urban Resorts said: “As a native of the North east I am delighted that the city of Aberdeen and its residents can benefit from our expansion into Scotland. We look forward to working with the Aberdeen City Council in the coming months to bring to life our ambition to extend our brand into Scotland.”

Councillor Barney Crockett, the leader of Aberdeen City Council said: “Aberdeen City Council is delighted to welcome De Vere Village Urban Resorts to the City. De Vere is a great company and the high

quality leisure facilities will not only extend Aberdeen’s offer for visitors but prove a great asset to the Kingswells community.

“Aberdeen and the North east of Scotland are on the crest of a wave and De Vere’s commitment is one more positive for the area.”