Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Donald Wilson and former Scotland rugby captain, Andy Nicol, teamed up to officially open two new Premier Inn hotels in Edinburgh, including Scotland’s first hub by Premier Inn, following a total investment of £21m and the creation of 100 new full and part-time all year round jobs.
The launch of the adjacent hotels on East Market Street, off the Royal Mile, included a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony by the Lord Provost, Andy Nicol and Simon Ewins, Chief Operating Officer at Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn, followed by the unveiling of an art competition by pupils at Royal Mile Primary School and songs by the school choir.
Highland dancers, a piper and a harpist from George Heriot’s School and characters from The Edinburgh Dungeon bringing to life some of the city’s famous history added to the grand celebrations, which were enjoyed by over 100 guests who were invited on tours of the two hotels.
The new innovative hub is the only hotel in the world that allows guests to control their room settings using an Apple Watch. Customers can use an app on Android, iPhone or Apple Watch to book, check-in, customise their room or even control their Smart TV’s.
Both hotels, located a stone’s throw from Edinburgh’s historical street, the Royal Mile, boast impressive views over of the city. Premier Inn features a Thyme restaurant, bedrooms which showcase the company’s latest high-spec, modern design, a 40″ flat screen TV and a luxury king-size Hypnos bed.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Donald Wilson, said: “With the Council’s headquarters across from the New Waverley development, I’ve been able to watch the construction of these new hotels take place. It has been fascinating to see the transformation of this unique part of the city within our UNESCO World Heritage, where the Old Town meets the New Town.
“The hotel operators have strived to work with the local community throughout the construction stage and workers have even helped to rejuvenate parts the Royal Mile Primary School’s playground and nursery. I am delighted to cut the ribbon and to see artwork from our own pupils placed on display, and I wish the thousands of visitors who will pass through these hotels a very memorable stay in our city. The finished design offers envious views of the Edinburgh skyline.”
Simon Ewins, Chief Operating Officer for Premier Inn and hub, said: “It is really important for us to work closely with the local community to involve them in our launch day plans and I can’t thank them enough, especially the Lord Provost, Andy Nicol and all of our guests who all helped make it a very special day.
“My congratulations go to both winners of the Royal Mile Primary School art competition and thanks and appreciation to all of the pupils from both schools who provided a real buzz of excitement to the occasion.
“The positive feedback we’ve received so far has been fantastic, especially for our first new hub in Scotland, which I’m confident will continue thanks to the brilliant team we have on board at both hotels, who I’m immensely proud of.”
Nicola Johnston, Head Teacher at Royal Mile Primary School, said: “Working with Premier Inn and giving the pupils new learning experiences has been fantastic and a great way for us to build even stronger links in the community.
“Firstly, they offered to spring clean, weed and tidy our playgrounds and paint our nursery wall, then we were invited to take part in the art competition, which the pupils really enjoyed, especially the winners Daniel Besana and Ellen Buckley.
“However, being asked to sing at the official launch was definitely the icing on the cake and a memory the children will keep for a long time.”
The new openings takes the number of hotels in Scotland to 68, which is part of Premier Inn’s expansion plan that will see the company extend its current number of bedrooms UK-wide to 85,000 by 2020.