Islanders tune in to reality TV in bid to get managers to check out hotel

Published on Thursday 24 April 2008 22:26

IT HAS a spectacular setting, rave reviews from holidaymakers, and its regulars have a vested interest in looking after the profits, as they are also the owners.

So why are islanders on Gigha having trouble finding someone to run their only hotel?

Adverts placed to find a new head chef and manager for the 12-bedroom Gigha Hotel received just six replies, and none of the applicants has followed up the initial interest.

Now the community, which bought Gigha for 4.5 million in 2002, has turned to a nearby hotelier to help them recruit the right person for one of their main assets.

They say the post would suit someone with a dream to own their own hotel or restaurant but doesn't have the capital to start up, as the enterprise would remain in community hands.

The search is taking inspiration from TV reality shows such as The Restaurant or Jamie's Chef, which try to find people to run their own eatery.

The hotel is operated by Gigha Trading, a subsidiary of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, the community body which bought the island on behalf of residents.

Margaret Andrew, chairwoman of Gigha Trading, said: "It's getting a bit frustrating. We had six people replying to our adverts but they came to nothing."

The islanders have sought help from Alan Milstead, who runs the Dunvalanree Hotel on the Mull of Kintyre with his wife, Alyson.

Mr Milstead said: "Most businesses that size would be operated by the owners, so the difficulty is getting people motivated enough to run it as if it was their own business while it remains in community ownership.

"They need someone, or a couple, with ambitions for this kind of lifestyle business and the commitment to make it work, but perhaps do not have the capital.

"The adverts didn't work, so we are exploring other options. We need someone to be inspired to think this is the job for them."

Mr Milstead said reality TV shows may provide the answer: "The people who take part in these shows, or people like them, could be ideal candidates for us – people with a bit of experience and flair. I'm trying to follow that up just now.

"On Gigha they would have the opportunity to do something without needing the capital in the first place. The hotel needs someone with a bit of passion to make it work and bring more people in.

"Community ownership has brought a whole new dimension to Gigha and the people want the hotel to provide more opportunities," he added.

Since the community takeover, Gigha has been thriving, with the population growing from 98 to 151.

The school roll has also increased from seven to 21, while new houses have been built and new businesses created.

The island attracts about 75,000 visitors a year, including day visitors.

Jacqui MacLeod, the Heritage Trust manager, said: "When the island was bought, the hotel was regarded as one of the biggest assets. It was also seen as a tangible symbol of community ownership as it was something the people could have an influence and control over.

"Not only does it provide the trust with income which we can plough back into other projects, it's also important as a meeting place and the hub of the community. However, there has been a terrible problem getting someone to manage it."

She added: "It can be a problem to attract someone to come to a place like this as a manager and perhaps, because they won't be the owner, there is not so much of an incentive.

"But we have an incentive package and we hope there is someone out there hungry to make a name for themselves."

AN ISLAND OASIS FOR TOURISTS

SEVEN miles long by a mile and a half wide, Gigha lies three miles west of the Kintyre peninsula and a 20-minute ferry trip from the mainland.

One of the island's biggest tourist draws is Achamore Gardens, 50 acres of rare and unusual plants and woodland surrounding the former laird's house.

Other attractions for visitors include a nine-hole golf course,sea safari trips to see seals, dolphins and otters, kayaking, fishing, 12 designated off-road walks, wildlife spotting and archaeological sites.