Historic Troon hotel looking to expand to ensure its future
Troon's Piersland House owners have submitted an application to South Ayrshire Council to increase the number of rooms offered.
The owners of a historic Troon hotel are seeking permission to add more rooms in a bid to secure its financial viability.
LMA Architects, representing Piersland House, say it has had to look at ways to increase revenue, citing the payment of the living wage to staff, increased rate and maintenance costs.
In a statement to South Ayrshire Council planners, they said: “The applicant has carried out business planning and market studies with regard to putting in place a sustainable investment going forward for future generations of their family and to ensure the continued maintenance of a building.
“Due to the high staffing costs, the provision of additional and larger function suite accommodation is not desirable as a business model.
“The model of increasing bedroom numbers is the preferred way forward.”
The proposed annex to the main building would add a further seven bedrooms.
Piersland Lodge, as it was originally called, was built at the end of the 19th Century and was home to the Johnnie Walker whisky family.
It was converted into a hotel in 1956, with the current owners taking over the premises in 1984.
The agent added: “The applicant purchased the property in 1984 as a family investment business and they have invested heavily in this tourism business since then.
“The applicant has been considering the ongoing use of the hotel to ensure its economic viability going forward.
“Further to market research, their preferred option to increase revenue is to construct additional bed spaces.
“This is to support increasing staff costs due to rises in the living wage, increasing rates and maintenance costs to protect and ensure the sustainable future of the listed building.
“The development will provide short term economic growth in the area during the design and construction and long term growth through the provision of jobs and increased tourism in the area.
“The additional rooms will encourage more people to stay in the area and contribute in the area.
“The vision of adding this annex is based on careful thought and planning by the owner.
“Listed buildings of this nature are expensive to up keep and the owner has to be realistic about how they can continue to use and maintain the listed building that they take great pride in owning.”
The planning application will be considered in the near future.