Major £20m revamp for Glasgow hotel
by Pete Hayman | 15 Jan 2010
Glasgow's Grand Central Hotel, which was acquired by operator Principal Hayley, in spring 2009, is set to reopen in September, following the completion of a major £20m refurbishment scheme.
When complete, the 350,000sq ft (32,516sq m) property will boast 240 bedrooms, a Champagne bar overlooking the city's Central Station, a deli, a restaurant and a bar, as well as 21 meeting rooms and the revamped Grand Ballroom of Glasgow. A number of the 127-year-old hotel's original features will be reinstated as part of the renovation programme - such as the ballroom's coffered ceiling, which will be raised by 3m (9.8ft) to uncover a second set of windows hidden for 30 years.
Architect Charles Leon is behind the designs for the new-look Grand Central Hotel, which aims to establish itself as one of the leading conference and banqueting properties in Glasgow. Principal Hayley chief executive Tony Troy said: "Glasgow is a thriving tourism and conference destination and the acquisition of the Grand Central Hotel is in keeping with our strategy of offering dedicated conference hotels in key city centre locations around the UK."
Hotel sales manager Leanne Scobie added: "This is one of the most iconic buildings in the city and our refurbishment will bring it back to its glory days when it was the place to be seen."
Glasgow's Grand Central Hotel, which was acquired by operator Principal Hayley, in spring 2009, is set to reopen in September, following the completion of a major £20m refurbishment scheme. When complete, the 350,000sq ft (32,516sq m) property will boast 240 bedrooms, a Champagne bar overlooking the city's Central Station, a deli, a restaurant and a bar, as well as 21 meeting rooms and the revamped Grand Ballroom of Glasgow. A
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