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UDNY ARMS RE-ESTABLISHES ITS SEAT AT THE TOP TABLE

Retired airline pilot Gary Linney has sky-high ambitions for one of Aberdeenshire’s most famous, landmark hotels.

Backed by financial support from Lloyds TSB Scotland, Gary and his wife Mandy are determined to reinstate the crown of the Udny Arms hotel in Newburgh as one of the best culinary destinations in the region.

Formerly privately owned, and with an unrivalled reputation for elegance and fine dining, the hotel has been part of large hotel chains for the past six years – a time which saw its individuality, standards, and viability, gradually slipping year on year.

Now, backed by Lloyds TSB Scotland and with support from organisations such as Energy Trust, the Linneys have embarked on an ambitious £350,000, three-year refurbishment plan aimed at re-establishing its former status as a Mecca for the area’s most discerning diners.

Since adopting a lease on the hotel last June, with an option to buy in five years, the husband and wife team has already invested £160,000, with another £120,000 cash injection planned soon.

A further £30,000 per year is earmarked to be spent on further refurbishment between now and 2014 – all thanks to backing from Lloyds TSB Scotland.

Each of the Udny Arms’ 30 bedrooms is being gradually upgraded to the highest of standards, the grounds are being restored and work is underway to reinstate the natural beauty of the proud early 1860s Aberdeenshire homely building.

In addition, the Linneys have lured to the hotel’s kitchen chef Mark Pollack. The former head chef at Malmaison Aberdeen has been awarded 18 AA Rosettes throughout this career and has been tasked with helping to realise the Udny Arms’ ambition of being awarded Three Rosette status – an accolade that would elevate the restaurant to the top table in the region’s culinary roll of honour.

As the individual hotel’s reinstated reputation for exceptional standards grows, so too do levels of occupancy and advance bookings. Even during the traditionally quiet period of February, Udny Arms enjoyed an occupancy rate of an admirable 88 per cent. During the couple’s short tenure, they have succeeded in increasing turnover by more than 80 per cent in food sales alone.

“In addition to devoting our energies into breathing new life into the Udny Arms, we have incorporated our Ellon-based training school business, Total Support Training, into the hotel premises and have 16 full-time students, as well as up to 40 additional day release attendees,” said Gary, a native of South Shields who has lived in the area for 20 years.

“The school’s new home has given the training company increased scope to offer a range of disciplines within the hospitality industry to its students. Youngsters can now learn hands-on skills in the restaurant, bar, kitchen, reception, laundry, housekeeping and functions.

“This affords them greater opportunity to source employment on completion of training. The two businesses work in synergy and complement each other.

“It is a hugely exciting project and I would like to thank Lloyds TSB Scotland for their long-term financial back and firm belief in what we are trying to achieve.”

Stuart Thom, relationship manager with Lloyds TSB Scotland, has worked closely with the Linneys since they acquired the lease of the Udny Arms and throughout the evolution of the Total Support Training business’s journey.

He said: “Gary and Mandy have demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and vision for this project. Due to the Udny Arms’ proximity to the Donald Trump golfing development, and the exceptional marketing potential of its shooting and fishing offering, this business shows every indication of an exciting future.

“Lloyds TSB Scotland has been delighted to work in partnership with this energetic, entrepreneurial team in an effort to once again position the Udny Arms hotel on Scotland’s map of culinary kings.”

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