Moray business to bring Huntly Hotel back to life
A historic hotel which has lain empty for more than a decade could soon be brought back to life after the appointment of a Moray-based firm.
Moray Security Systems Ltd has taken over the management of the Huntly Hotel as well as its security after being appointed by its current owners on February 4.
Josh Chelby, the firm’s manging director, says the business was initially approached to take care of the hotel’s security after recent break ins.
But a three-hour conversation with its current owner saw the firm takeover complete management of the hotel.
Mr Chelby said: “We just felt that we could possibly offer more than just managing the hotel’s security so we asked if that was something they would be open to.
“Before I knew it we had become the management company for the entire hotel.”
The firm is currently waiting to have an insurance policy confirmed for the building itself before any major works can begin.
Mr Chelby is hesitant to say when the hotel could have its “grand reopening” but has revealed the current scope of plans from February to April.
That includes structural safety repairs, window repairs, work on the heating system and water supply, plumbing repairs, general building cleaning as well as the installation of a standard alarm and fire system.
“I mean, as far as it goes for what's needed, the bones of the building are still in very good shape,” Mr Chelby said.
“From everything I can see within the building and everyone I've spoken to from a structural point of view, the building itself is in good condition.
“It needs a bit of TLC and it needs some maintenance doing and it has a lot of history within it which I would like to keep.
“In an ideal world, it would be great if it was as simple as it just needs a new bit of paint, new flooring maybe in some sections and just a general update of decor because the building itself isn't in that terrible of a shape.
“But it's been unoccupied for 10 years, there's been a lot of damp, a lot of condensation and unfortunately that's caused a lot of the wood to just kind of rot away. That isn't the end of the world though.”
Despite the challenge, Mr Chelby says the local community has been supportive in his efforts to restore the building to its former glory.
He added: “It’s been great to see the overwhelming support from the community.
“It makes me very proud as a business owner to be taking this on as Huntly is a very tight-knit community so it feels nice to be that person responsible for trying to bring this historic hotel back into use here.
“I'm trying not to set people's expectations too high because obviously we're not the people paying for this.
“We're going to do the best we can to push to make the building as beautiful as it used to be.”
