Will the Welsh Government provide itemised details of how the £500,000 grant to Ruthin Castle Ltd was spent on improvements to the hotel and how many jobs were safeguarded or created as a result of this Welsh Government investment?
Creating higher quality minimum 4 star hotel products in Wales is a strategic development priority for Welsh Government. The overall aim of the grant for Ruthin Castle Ltd was to upgrade the hotel from a 3 star to a 4 star graded hotel – which has been achieved. The work involved a wide range of improvements including the upgrading of 26 guest bedrooms, improvements to corridor/staircase areas and improvements to the ‘mediaeval banquet’ toilets. The work also included the provision of new facilities such as treatment rooms, relaxation area, gym & equipment, hydro spa, facial steam rooms, tanning booths and hair salon areas.
Despite the hotel going into administration at one stage, the hotel remained open and is a viable tourism business contributing to the wider tourism economy and supply chain in the area. The project helped to safeguard and maintain 65 FTE jobs and create 5.5FTE jobs.