HOLYWOOD-based investment company Wirefox has added to its hospitality portfolio by acquiring a hotel close to the St Andrews golf course in Scotland.
The acquisition of the Ardgowan Hotel comes five months after Wirefox bought the historic north coast Bushmills Inn Hotel in Co Antrim.
Both hotels have been bought from private family owners by Wirefox's Marram Hotel Partners entity, which it set up in February 2022. The amount paid has not been disclosed in either case.
The Co Down group, which owns CastleCourt in Belfast, said it will continue to operate the three-star hotel in St Andrews in its current form, retaining existing staff.
Wirefox looks set to expand its presence in the hospitality sector, with the company’s principal, BJ Eastwood, registering a number of hospitality geared firms on Companies House in recent months.
On Tuesday it registered a new limited liability partnership, Wirefox Hospitality LLP.
Wirefox’s investment director, Kathryn Robinson, said: “As an iconic golfing hotel, it’s a great time for us to be adding the Ardgowan Hotel to our growing portfolio, with all indicators pointing towards a bumper year for golf enthusiasts off the back of The Open.
“Welcoming the current staff to Wirefox’s extended team, while continuing to trade, will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the business and continue to provide the much-loved service guests have become accustomed to.
“We’re grateful that the McLachlan family have agreed to work with us to ensure a smooth transition and we look forward to acting as custodian in the months and years ahead.”
