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Surge of bookings at Marcliffe Hotel after closure U-turn

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The owner of Aberdeen’s Marcliffe Hotel has been inundated with bookings since it emerged the popular establishment will remain open for business.

Stewart Spence said he had been “overwhelmed” by messages of good will from the public over the weekend.

News of the shock turnaround – reported exclusively in Saturday’s Press and Journal – prompted a frenzy of bookings at the five-star hotel.

“It has been unbelievable,” Mr Spence said.

“Between Saturday and Sunday, we took about £300,000 worth of inquiries, including a wedding for 2016.

“I have also had over 100 emails from people congratulating me on the decision.

“It has just been crazy.”

The Marcliffe at Pitfodels is to remain open
The Marcliffe at Pitfodels is to remain open

Mr Spence had been due to sell the North Deeside Road site to housebuilder Stewart Milne, with plans to demolish the hotel and build executive apartments in its place.

But just days ago the hotelier announced that both parties had now “walked away” from the deal in mutual agreement amid public pleas to stay open and the timing of the development.

The Marcliffe, Aberdeen’s only five-star hotel, will now be refurbished and returned to its “glory days” by Mr Spence and his three sons.

Mr Spence, who had been due to retire after 53 years in the hospitality industry, said: “Obviously, I thought there would be a good reaction to the news but it has been beyond my expectations.

“Everyone has been fantastic.”

Mr Spence was also delighted for the hotel’s 50-strong full-time work force.

He said:”There was so much up in the air before because of what was happening.

“Now they know their futures are secured, one or two are taking out mortgages for flats which is really nice.”

Extra staff were brought in to man the phones over the weekend as news of the dramatic u-turn broke.

He said: “The article was in the P&J on Saturday morning and the first phone call came in at 7.30am.”

In just two days, the hotel secured 200 bookings for Christmas Day, and numerous inquiries and bookings for functions, weddings and charity events.

Mr Spence added: “I’m amazed. I always thought it would be a popular decision but the public have been amazing.”