The Cliffburn Hotel in Arbroath is set to reopen under new ownership, providing a welcome jobs boost for the town, The Courier can reveal.
A local family business is in the final stages of negotiations for the property, which has served as a wedding and function venue for decades.
A spokesman said the prospective buyers did not wish to disclose their identity until the sale had gone through, but confirmed the building would continue to be used as a hotel.
He said, “At the moment the hotel is closed and empty and there is a lot of work required on the alarms and the electrics before we could open.
“It is all with the solicitor just now but we are hoping to have the sale completed within a couple of weeks.”
He added, “I am trying to involve another couple of people to run it but I am confident it will all go ahead and we will be able to take on staff.”
The venue is likely to resume trading in April after any renovation has been completed.
There is a possibility that one of the two large reception halls which hold over 100 people each, could become a buffet restaurant.
The hotel also boasts a public bar and lounge/restaurant area.Confident of successThe spokesman said, “It is not a good time to be starting a new business anywhere at this time of year.
“But I am pretty sure we will make a success out of it. Only time will tell.”
Prior to its closure in September, the Cliffburn was a popular choice for holidaymakers visiting Arbroath and several bookings had to be cancelled when the business stopped trading.
Rumours surrounding the closure of the hotel had been circulating in the town for months before it was confirmed.
The building was originally put on the market for £395,000 but the sale price is unknown.
The site occupied by the hotel on the eastern edge of the town is seen as prime real estate and sits opposite the major Kings Gate housing development being undertaken by Stewart Milne Homes.
Tony Short has owned the hotel known as The Cliffie for five years.
Accommodation consists of seven en-suite bedrooms and the two function rooms are also used as a meeting place for the Arbroath Accordion and Fiddle Club.