Construction work on Thurso Premier Inn hotel gets under way
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WORK on a multimillion-pound hotel in Thurso got under way this week and could be a catalyst for further development of the former mart area.
Pentland Property Limited, which owns the nine-acre site beside Ormlie Road, confirmed that Morrison Construction – part of the Galliford Try group – has been awarded the contract which is expected to take about a year to complete.
The project had been delayed due to what was described as "contractual negotiations" but the work started on Monday.
A spokesman for Pentland Property said: "We are delighted that site works have begun on the Premier Inn in Thurso. This is an exciting investment in the town and expected to be a catalyst for further development, and will support new sustainable job opportunities in Thurso.
"Pentland Property will continue to liaise with the local community, key stakeholders and neighbours on the further development of the remainder of the site.
"Starting work on this brownfield site is a welcome step in the renewal of this important part of Thurso and we are looking forward to realising its full potential."
Morrison Construction's Highland building managing director, Donald McLachlan, said: "The beginning of construction is an exciting project milestone and we are delighted to have started ground works on site in Thurso.
"We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Pentland Property and successfully delivering this new development, rejuvenating an unused site. Throughout construction we will engage closely with members of the community to ensure the project has a positive and enduring local impact."
Councillor Karl Rosie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness on Highland Council, said: "I am delighted to see the construction phase commencing and am convinced that this will be a significant catalyst to enable the sustainable regeneration of Thurso town centre. The confidence and commitment from Pentland Property Ltd and Premier Inn to invest on this scale in our community demonstrates the opportunities that exist in Thurso and the wider Caithness community.
"It is vitally important that Highland Council engages with community stakeholders and the private sector to ensure that we better enable sustainable development."
Speaking personally, Thurso community councillor Alexander Glasgow said: "I am hugely looking forward to this. It'll improve a brownfield site and provide cheap accommodation in town. It's a different business model to established hotels.
"A substantial portion of the site will be available for other use. I should like to see secure pathways down Ormlie Brae for schoolchildren and from Ormlie Brae to Juniper Brae so the [nearby] school site is secure."
Whitbread – owner of the Premier Inn group – received planning permission in November last year for a three-storey, 81-bed hotel and car park at the site.
Some Caithness hoteliers and other accommodation providers claimed it would affect trade and result in job losses, while supporters said it will boost tourism and greatly improve an "eyesore" site.
The development is expected to create around 30 jobs and will be the UK’s most northerly Premier Inn.
