UK: Private investment company Wirefox has bought the Ardwogan Hotel located in St Andrews through its Marram Hotels business.
The acquisition marks the second property in the Marram Hotels portfolio, joining The Bushmills Inn in Ireland. The latest asset was purchased from the McLachlan family for an undisclosed sum.
Housed in a B-listed Georgian townhouse designed by Scottish architect George Rae, the hotel comprises 29 en suite bedrooms with a further seven en suite rooms in a section of the property dating back to 1820. It also offers a restaurant, bar and terrace.
Roy McLachlan, managing director of The Ardgowan Hotel, said: “It’s a pleasure to be handing over the operation and ownership of the hotel to such a professional group. The hotel has enjoyed many years of excellent performance due to its wonderful staff and I am convinced that both the staff and the Hotel will enjoy a very bright future.”
Kathryn Robinson, investment director at Wirefox, said: “As an iconic golfing hotel, it’s a great time for us to be adding the Ardgowan Hotel to our growing portfolio, with all indicators pointing towards a bumper year for golf enthusiasts off the back of The Open.
“Welcoming the current staff to Wirefox’s extended team, while continuing to trade, will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the business and continue to provide the much-loved service guests have become accustomed to. We’re grateful that the McLachlan family have agreed to work with us to ensure a smooth transition and we look forward to acting as custodian in the months and years ahead.”
Wirefox was advised on the acquisition by Belfast-based Davidson McDonnell along with BTO Solicitors of Edinburgh, with the McLachlan family seeking counsel from Scottish law firm, Thorntons Law LLP.
