Glentress has Alpine appeal
Kate Smail • Published 28 Jan 2011 09:30
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IT'S been controversial from the start but the successful bidders for the new Glentress visitor centre have finally been announced.
Alpine Bikes, who already have a shop in Innerleithen, will run the retail outlet in lot one and GT Restaurants, who own Glentress Hotel, will have the cafe that compromises lot two.
The £8.5 million centre, being built by Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), has been mired in controversy since it emerged Emma Guy and Tracey Brunger, who operate the Hub in the Forest cafe and shop at Glentress, would have to compete against other businesses for the tender.
The news was met with anger from the mountain biking community, who argue that the Hub has been integral to the success of Glentress, which attracts up to 300,000 visitors a year and has an international reputation.
But the Hub's bid didn't make it past the second round of the tendering process, sparking such an outcry from their supporters that the Forestry Commission was forced to issue a press release explaining their decision.
Simon Hodge, chief executive of the Forestry Commission body, said in an open letter to the pair that the successful bids had been chosen because of the need to raise money to maintain mountain bike trails.
The Hub bike shop will close next month, and the cafe will stop trading in February 2012 when its lease runs out, with a combined loss of 30 jobs.
Emma explained: "This decision is a real kick in the teeth for us after spending ten years of our life and a considerable amount of money building up this business. But we are just as hurt at the fact that we had to sit our staff down and tell them the bad news.
"We have ten years of experience, we know this area inside out, we have an incredible track record in this area. But now we have been told that we are not good enough."
However, Bill Meadows, the Commission's Forest District Manager for Dumfries and Borders said both Alpine Bikes and GT Restaurants are well placed to help make the new centre a success.
He said: "We've undertaken a very thorough, open and fair tender for commercial opportunities and I'm very pleased that the process has produced two companies which have many years of experience in the mountain bike and outdoor leisure market.
"Both have shown a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and innovation in their tenders and demonstrated they are keen supporters in making Glentress a top class visitor attraction."
And Bryan Shedden, director of Alpine Bikes, told the Peeblesshire News: "I am thrilled that Alpine Bikes has been offered the tender to run the bike shop at Glentress.
"Through our shop at Innerleithen we already have sponsorship relationships with local events and clubs and expect to build on this commitment throughout the Tweed Valley.
"With over 22 years of experience in the bike industry, and following our recent acquisition of the summer lease for bike hire at Nevis Range, this appointment further secures our positioning as Scotland's premium bike retailer and hire centre provider.
"We look forward to working with Forestry Commission Scotland and the other tenants to make Glentress Peel a resounding success."
Alpine Bikes have also confirmed that they have no intention of closing their existing Innerleithen premises.
And Claire Bony of GT Restaurants Ltd said they are also excited about the opportunity presented by Glentress Peel.
She added: "Olivier and I are delighted to be offered the opportunity to be part of something as fantastic as the new Glentress Peel development. We are very much looking forward to working with Forestry Commission Scotland and the other site partners to create a five star visitor attraction, which can only be of benefit to the many users of the forest park and to our local community."
The Glentress Peel centre is due to open in the spring.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 28 Jan 11
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