Ayr of Sophistication

Campbell Inns’ John and Senga Campbell have finally managed to persuade South Ayrshire Council to sell the freehold on Belleisle House in Ayr, which the couple plan to redevelop into a hotel and spa complex. Prior to sealing the deal, the 18th century Mansion House had only been available for leasehold, and repair work is expected to get underway this month, with planning permission in for the redevelopment. GM Louis MacCallum told
DRAM, “As the council sold us the property, we know that they are very keen to give the project the green light, so we don’t envisage any problems.”
Once sanctioned, the redevelopment is expected to take around two years to complete and will reopen as the Belleisle Mansion Hotel and Spa with 70 guest suites, and spa, including a 20m indoor swimming pool, and a ballroom capacity for up to 400 guests.
The planned work will take place in two stages, with phase one focusing on the renovation of the main building, expected to be finished and opened to the public by Summer 2013. The remainder of the work,
involving the building of a completely new building on the site of the former function suite, will open the following summer. The current golf clubhouse will move out of the main house in January 2013.
John Campbell said, “This is a fantastic opportunity and a landmark moment not just for us as business owners, but for Ayr and Ayrshire as a whole. I am committed to developing a high quality hotel and spa
facility that will attract both domestic and overseas visitors and breathe new life into this magnificent building and make the most of the fantastic setting.”