Staff step up at Beauly hotel
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DOZENS of staff at a Beauly hotel now have more of a stake in its future after becoming part-owners of the property.
The Priory Hotel has been owned and run by Stuart Hutton and wife Evelyn since 1972.
Thinking about his retirement recently he decided staff ownership will ensure it continues to thrive as a valued part of the local community.
His son, Kenneth Hutton, said: “He had put the hotel on the market recently and had a couple of trade sale offers, however he didn’t feel that the prospective buyers were the right fit for the hotel.
“A staff member had once mentioned employee ownership as a potential solution to this – it meant the business would be sold to those who know it best, and it wouldn’t be taken over by a large chain.
“The option stuck with my dad and when he felt like he had the correct management team in place, the time was right to begin progressing the buyout.”
Under the terms of a newly establised employee ownership trust 46 members of staff will now have a stake in the business, with 72 per cent of shares held and managed on their behalf.
The majority of the remainder will be held by Kenneth Sutton, who will become the hotel’s managing director.
Mr Sutton said: “By selling to his employees, my dad knows that the business he spent 46 years building is now in the hands of a loyal and invested team that wants the best for the hotel and the local area.
“The staff are very excited by the news and are looking forward to learning more about the role they will play in the hotel’s future.”
