£110k for new Ness Walk hotel training and marketing

A sister property to the city’s Kingsmills Hotel, Ness Walk has been developed from a Grade B Listed building on the banks of the River Ness. It is expected to create 65 full and part time equivalent posts and increase the company’s turnover by £2.4m, more than half of which will be from international sales.

The HIE funding will help with consultancy, marketing and training costs related to generating sales from international and rest of UK customers.

The staff training plan has been devised in conjunction with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and is seen as crucial to the overall project. Its availability in the region is new and it is expected to help attract employees into the region for year-round employment.

Linsey Munro, business development account manager with HIE, said:

“Tourism is central to the Highlands and Islands economy and demand for high-end five-star accommodation and service has increased over the years. It is essential to attract this clientele to the region and this new hotel will play a key role in that.

“The training programme provides an excellent opportunity for staff in the industry and to ensure visitors receive the expected standard of service. We are very pleased to be able to provide support and look forward to monitoring progress.”

Tony Story, Ness Walk manager, said:

“I am grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Their team have consistently shown a solid understanding of the nature of our business and are supportive as we develop new opportunities in the city”