The north couple behind failed plans for a multimillion-pound brewery and visitor centre in Inverness have snapped up a nearby mansion to add to their growing hotel business.
Jon and Victoria Erasmus have spent around £1.5million this year on expanding the Glen Mhor Hotel on the banks of the River Ness.
Having already taken over the Alexander and Brae Ness Hotels earlier in 2014, they have now added a four-bedroom property – the River House – to create new self-catering accommodation.
It means guest room numbers at Glen Mhor have increased from 51 to 81 in the space of a year, while the investment has also led to six new jobs.
The expansion is unlikely to stop there, a spokesman for the business said yesterday.
He also said Mr and Mrs Erasmus were still mulling an appeal against the recent decision by Highland Council to reject their brewery plans, which would have created a glass-fronted micro-brewery, restaurant and visitor centre on Ness Bank.
Councillors feared the project would exacerbate parking and traffic problems and voted to block the project, despite a recommendation for approval by their own officials.
Mr Erasmus branded them “ignorant” and “arrogant” and pledged to submit an appeal to the Scottish Government.
“The pair are considering their position regarding the brewery development but have plans to invest further in the Glen Mhor in response to high demand for rooms in the Highland capital,” their spokesman said yesterday.
Mr Erasmus, whose wife was the Highland Business Woman Club’s businesswoman of the year in 2012 and a finalist in this year’s Scottish Business Awards, said: “Bringing the River House on board adds another element to what we can offer our customers.
“There are very few luxury self-catering options in Inverness which allow guests the use of hotel facilities.
“Growing the hotel is entirely reflective of the wider expansion of tourism and business in Inverness. The city is thriving.”
He added: “20 years ago, there were big hotels in Inverness that would close in the winter. That seems almost inconceivable now. There is demand all-year-round from the business sector.
“Inverness has really evolved from a town to a city, which is great news for all businesses in the area.”
Glen Mhor general manager Emmanuel Moine said demand for the newly-opened River House accommodation had already beaten expectations, adding: “We have had inquiries from people looking for a base for a sporting break, as well as family gatherings and corporate meetings.”
Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said: “This is a welcome addition to the provision of high quality accommodation in the heart of the city.”