Tourism boost fans long-term hopes for Woodstock Hotel

FOLLOWING the shock announcement of the closure of the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis, hopes have been expressed that the expected boost in tourism from Shannon Airport’s independence could attract a new owner for the hotel.
Staff at the four-star hotel on the Shanaway Road were called to a meeting last Friday afternoon where they were told that the hotel would be shutting its doors, with 60 staff losing their jobs.
No official reason has been given for the closure of the hotel, operated by Fortwilliam Catering Ltd and part of Great National Hotels. However it is understood that a substantial sum was owed to creditors, with a creditors meeting set to be held later this month.
President of the Irish Hoteliers Federation and Lahinch hotelier Michael Vaughan described the closure as “absolutely shocking”. He believes reopening the hotel is a possibility in the long term and that it could benefit from a more ‘family run’ management structure.
“Everybody in the tourism business would be very sympathetic to the people involved in this. The closure certainly wouldn’t be down to a lack of quality in management and in the operation. It would have been considered to be a well-managed hotel,” he said.
He said the closure was a “sign of the times” in the industry adding, “I think that unless a hotel is situated in the middle of a town like Ennis, it’s proving extremely difficult to keep open year-round. I’m not saying it was the issue here but generally in our industry one of the biggest issues is the availability of working capital, bank loans seasonally for hotels to see them through the winter.
“Limerick has way too many hotel rooms which is affecting business in Clare, particularly in the wedding business. You have a competitive wedding price that doesn’t allow for a sustainable profit. It’s a very difficult trading market.
He added, “I would be apprehensive that it could be re-opened in the short term period, it will take some time to get finances and find an operator. I think in the longer term it could be a possibility, particularly with a family type structure. Currently with the type of tourism in the region it is safe to say that existing hotels in Ennis have sufficient rooms for the business that is now available.”
Mr Vaughan recalled that the Woodstock Hotel would have been one of the hotels that would have benefited from tourists arriving through Shannon Airport in the past. And he urged that the airport’s new structure work with the local tourism industry.
President of Ennis Chamber, Brian O’Neill, also voiced his hope that a new operator could be found for the hotel. “The announcement of the closure is terrible news for the town but in particular for the staff, employees and management. It doesn’t reflect upon the quality of the work that they were doing in the hotel. This is a serious loss to the local economy.
“Hopefully another operator will be found in the near future, or if not the employees will hopefully be able to find employment without the tourism industry locally. Hopefully there will be an upturn in tourism this year as a result of the positive things that are happening at Shannon Airport and The Gathering. Our thoughts are with the employees and their families, it’s a shocking experience for them but we would be hopeful for their future.”
Meanwhile, Clare TD Pat Breen expressed his disappointment at the closure of the hotel, echoing hopes that it can reopen its doors again, albeit under a different management structure.
“The trading environment for hotels has been difficult over the past number of years and especially in this county, given the reduced tourism activity which resulted from the reduced access available into Shannon Airport. 
“However, the New Year is promising new beginnings for Shannon Airport.  New services and increased capacity are forecast for Shannon Airport in 2013, given the emergence of the new airport authority and the Gathering Tourism initiative.  
“This increased access will generate a much needed spin off for the tourism sector throughout the county and is welcome news for any prospective investors who would be interested in acquiring this hotel. Given its location and facilities, it is as attractive proposition for many and I am optimistic that a deal can be secured with a new owner, which would see the hotel re-open its doors again in the future.”