Hotel operator Premier Inn said it will create 200 new jobs in Scotland this year with the opening of five new hotels as part of a £70 million investment.
As part of the expansion, the chain - owned by leisure giant Whitbread - is opening a new “super-sized” 249-bed hotel in Glasgow’s St Enoch Square and a 136-bed hotel on Edinburgh’s Princes Street.
Altogether it is on course to add 735 new beds in Scotland this year through new sites and extensions. The new openings also include a 60-bed hotel in Aviemore, an 85-bed hotel in Thurso - set to become its most Northerly in the UK to date - and a 96-bed hotel in Hamilton.
Additional room capacity is also being added to existing hotels in Edinburgh, Fort William and Inverness West.
Premier Inn managing director Simon Ewins said: “We’re gearing up for an exciting year in Scotland with a variety of new hotels ranging from a 249-bed mega-hotel in one of Glasgow’s most iconic central locations to our most Northerly site in the UK in Thurso.
“From its world-class cities to jaw-dropping Highlands, Scotland’s tourist offer is hard-to-beat and we’re pleased to help make it even easier for both leisure and business travellers to enjoy the country affordably”.
UK-wide Premier Inn is opening 37 hotels this year, adding around 4,000 rooms.
