Tuesday 16 June 2009

Old Loans Inn Ready For The Open

The Old Loans Inn, the heartbeat of the quaint village of Loans just outside Troon, has undergone a major £1.8 million redevelopment project over the last nine months and will reopen its doors to the public in July.

Despite these difficult economic times the reopening of The Old Loans Inns in the coming weeks marks a welcome jobs boost to the local area as SimpsInns are currently recruiting for an additional 40 staff - with employment opportunities across all departments - at The Old Loans Inn.

Application forms can be obtained from the SimpsInns sister property, The Gailes Hotel, Marine Drive, Irvine or by calling 01294 204040.

“As a private family business we are delighted to be in a position to bring much-needed employment to the local area,” said Irene Leslie, SimpsInns General Manager.

“In the year of the Homecoming and the 2009 British Open Championship being held on our doorstep at Turnberry in July there has been much focus on Ayrshire and investment in the tourist business such as The Old Loans Inn can only be good for the local economy.”

Renowned for its warm friendly service and excellent fare, The Old Loans Inn has kept its traditional values of a country pub, but in moving with the times, the redeveloped property introduces a brand new bar and restaurant.

In addition, The Old Loans Inn now boasts an additional accommodation element where 20 traditional, yet contemporary, bedrooms have been created and our range of uniquely-designed rooms and suites will cater for every need.

Each bedroom has been named after one of the many excellent golf courses in Ayrshire, including the world famous, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick, Dundonald and Shiskine on Arran. The main master-suite will be named after the golfer who wins this year’s Open Championship at Turnberry.

The Old Loans Inn has been successfully trading under the SimpsInns brand for over 10 years before local couple and proprietors, Malcolm and Karen Simpson, took the decision to close last October to allow redevelopment work to commence.

“The decision to close for a period was an easy one,” explained Malcolm Simpson, who also owns the Gailes Hotel near Irvine.

“After many years of lovingly renovating the original building, The Old Loans Inn required major upgrade work in order for our business to continue. It was an ideal opportunity to improve and upgrade the business by adding accommodation, while increasing the bar and restaurant capacity for our locals, visiting patrons and residents to enjoy.”

As part of the redevelopment Simpsinns purchased the adjoining cottage, such was the sensitive nature of the upgrade work. SimpsInns brought in local company RDK Construction to carry out the work and have expertly ensured the character of The Old Loans Inn was maintained.

During the redevelopment staff from The Old Loans Inn relocated to The Gailes over the winter where they received training across numerous departments before they resume work back at The Old Loans Inn.

Lorraine Inglis from Troon and Fiona McLaughlin from the village of Loans both have over 10 years experience with SimpsInns and are just two of the many original staff who will return to The Old Loans Inn.

“The building has been completely transformed,” explained Lorraine, who was particularly impressed with the residents’ rooftop garden and its stunning views over to Arran.

“The beer garden is an ideal suntrap in summer while the authentic fireplace is certainly a focal point that was painstakingly recreated out of stone from the original building.”

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