Isle of Arran businesses are losing much needed out of season trade due to the ongoing ferry cancellations,according to one of the island’s largest hotels.
The Auchrannie Resort in Brodick has been increasing it’s marketing over the past few months to boost visitor numbers to Arran in the winter.
But last weekend’s ferry chaos resulted in 12 people cancelling room bookings and many people staying for one night rather than two or three.
There were no boats between Brodick and Ardrossan on Saturday,January 21 2012,due to adverse weather conditions.
On Sunday,January 22,the MV Isle of Arran didn’t depart Brodick until 1.40pm and went to Wemyss Bay instead of its usual port.
Richard Small,general manager of the Auchrannie,said the ferry cancellations are having a huge effect on the hotel.
‘We keep detailed records of the numbers of room cancellations that have resulted from cancelled sailings,’ Mr Small told The Banner.
‘In the past year we have seen a 900 per cent increase in lost bookings due to the ferry cancellations.
‘I don’t think I have to point out that this is has a huge effect on the business but it means we’ve lost at least £10,000.’
For the full story,see the Arran Banner edition of ,January 28 2012 or on line at www.arranbanner.co.uk/digital
