7 Scottish Hotels Cease Business

Yes, I am sure we will see messages about hotels closing down for at least a year. But if they are viable locations, someone with money or a dream will purchase them, at a definite discount, and reopen them soon enough.

A lot of local businesses are blaming the virus for the possibility they will not reopen after restrictions are lifted. What they don't tell you is they were borderline at failing before the virus changed things. Not saying the closures have not added to their difficulties, because they have, but not every business that fails over the next few months is solely because of the virus closures.

Mark, you need to read the article. This is a 117 year old company not a shoestring operation. They are out of business precisely because of all the lost bookings and refunds due to coronavirus. Yes, businesses come and go, but the tsunami of failures in the coming months to years will be due to the catastrophic economic effects of the pandemic.

It is sad, but there’s a million reasons companies go out of business. Thomas Cook failed way before COVID.

From the article, it looks like the company was almost 100% dependent on coach tours and Scotland is a very summer destination, especially for those on tours. While independent travelers may visit Scotland in off season, that wouldn’t apply to the coach traveler type.

I’ve been on a number of trips with National Holidays which are part of the group and stayed in one of the hotels for a Christmas Market trip to Glasgow and Lock Lomond. It’s a shame and I hope that they are saved. We will just have to wait and see.

If you read this article...check a side article that was very interesting about how the skeleton staff remaining at Hampton Court and others historic buildings are being maintained when no one else is there. For example they had to put the costume collection in the freezer so the pests couldn't get to them.
As for the closing of the hotels that cater to the large coach trade; how many of us really want to cram into a bus with 30 or more people in the near future? Good time to cut your loses, and rethink your business model.
edit: I have taken bus tours back in my college student days and enjoyed them. I'm just saying the hotels may have to make changes to deal with the new realities. Maybe making the hotels show venues like Vegas as one example or Live Streaming Sports with the rooms being private party suites. IMO Sites that have been overvisited by Coach Tours can be ruined for independent travelers and local small businesses don't really benefit that much from Day Trippers. Luckily for me being a Baby Boomer I've had the chance to see Most of Europe before the Big Impact.

Your perspective is interesting . I was feeling sorry for the over 2000 people who were losing their employment. Perhaps you didn't want to go to those hotels, but they served an important function for many people who have a different travel style than yours.

According to a Federal Reserve Bank president (Atlanta I think) several weeks ago - No business or family has more than a few months cash reserves unless they are very very lucky. Long term closures will can cause failures through no fault of the operators.

Carol, I feel for each and every person who lost their job due in any way to the current virus and the government actions that may have hurried along the job losses. They are suffering more than they should and many parts of the government, who caused the job loss due to the shutdown actions, do not seem to see it as their responsibility to assist those who lost their jobs.

Mark and NickB,
Agree that small business enterprises usually have few resources for an extended shutdown. I had a small business for four years many years ago and if it had been shutdown for 2-3 months, I would have fired my employees and closed up shop.

Many in government that have never ran a business don't seem to understand that.