DescriptionAfter 42 years of owning the hotel the current owners are looking to pass on this award winning 30 bed, leisure and commercial hotel with apartments, townhouses and development opportunities to the next generation. This is a long established business, which they oversee, with multiple opportunities to expand with additional rooms and/or function/leisure business and a stable operating team.
Built in 1883, Mackays Hotel is a traditional stone built property with a single storey extension housing the Stevenson Suite function room. The vacant former church building offers further scope to develop the business.
With the main access from Union Street public areas within the hotel are set over the ground floor and include:
• The River Room - principal breakfast room or for private dining.
• No1 Bistro - direct access from Ebenezer Place and provides casual dining options for guests and locals.
• Whisky Bar and lounge.
• Stevenson Suite - function room with sprung wooden floor and capacity for 160 guests.
• Selection of meeting rooms.
LocationMackays Hotel occupies a prominent riverside location on Union Street and Ebenezer Place in the centre of the busy commercial and tourist town of Wick.
Wick is well located on the famous NC500 tourist route and also benefits from being a commercial centre and stop off for Orkney bound commercial and leisure travellers. The town lies on the main John O'Groats to Inverness road route (A99 - A9), has it's own railway station and even a small airport providing commercial flights to Aberdeen as well as private helicopter flights to offshore wind and oil projects. Whisky tourism is bolstered by the nearby Old Pulteney Distillery which produces its own Highland single malt.
The hotel is mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records as the entrance to No1 Bistro is on Ebenezer Place, the shortest street in the world.
Located on the picturesque north east coast of Scotland, Wick still benefits from being only two hours from the Highland capital of Inverness with it's international airport and gateway to the rest of the UK and Europe.
Future PotentialThe hotel benefits from Wick’s position as a hub for some of Scotland’s most iconic attractions, including the NC500, John O' Groats, and the Orkney Islands. With the ongoing rise in domestic and international tourism to the north Highlands there is strong demand for accommodation, dining, and leisure services.
The current owners have identified various areas for potential future growth depending on the business shape a new buyer wants to follow:
• Bistro on the shortest street in the world” – an increased focus on social media marketing could maximise this is as a tool to attract day and leisure visitors.
• Events & Functions: the increased tourism and business activity in the north Highlands has created a growing demand for high quality venues with flexible accommodation offering to suit weddings, local events, corporate functions and community gatherings.
• Whisky tourism and local seasonal cuisine – this growing specialist sector would enable a greater focus on the Bistro and Whisky Bar as a specialist destination.
• Further development – the extensive land and buildings offer opportunities to add additional hotel rooms or self-catering accommodation to serve both the tourist and business sectors which are increasing as the region becomes a centre for renewable energy. There is also a need for additional residential accommodation in the area and this could be exploited subject to planning regulations.
Letting AccommodationThere are 30 en suite bedrooms offering:
Double: 14
Twin: 1
Family: 1
Single: 9 (readily convertible to 5 double rooms )
Superior: 5
All rooms are equipped with flatscreen TV's, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities as well as free Wi-Fi access.
Other PropertySelf-Catering Apartments, Townhouses & Vacant Building - Available by Separate Negotiation
There is a separate self-contained block of six apartments near to the hotel on Union Street. This is a three-storey building with two apartments per floor - each offering a double bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom.
In addition there are two townhouses.
Vacant Building
The former church building is also available and offers further development options subject to planning.
The former grain store building and area to the rear of the hotel, currently housing the Biomass boilers, also has a historic consent (lapsed) for a three storey building.
StaffA full staff complement currently exists and would pass on the sale of the business under standard TUPE regulations.
Trading InformationTrading information will be provided to suitably qualified parties after completion of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
Excluding the impact of Covid, the average annual turnover is in excess of £1.1m with the business showing a healthy split of 64% leisure and 36% business travel.
TenureFreehold
Guide Price
Lot 1 - Mackays Hotel - Guide Price £1.2m for the fully fitted trading hotel
Available by Separate Negotiation
Lot 2 - 6 self-catering apartments and two townhouses
Lot 3 - Vacant former Church
Included within the sale will be the hotel website and social media platforms.
Business RatesThe Rateable Value is £75,000 with effect from 1 April 2023.
Confirmation of actual business rates payable should be obtained from the Local Authority.
RegulatoryPremises Licence
