Lews Castle row

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Comhairle urged to delay decision on Lews Castle 18/3/14

The Comhairle has been asked to temporarily delay any final award of a controversial contract to lease the Lews Castle to holiday company Natural Retreats - the sole bidder for the redeveloped historic building.

Natural Retreats plans to create five-star serviced studio apartments on the upper floors of the castle.

There would be a modern kitchen within the unit while meals would be available from the ground floor cafe.

A similar facility at the company’s John O’ Groat Inn costs £129 for a two night stay - pricing which rival island self-catering operators say would hit their trade in an over-supplied marketplace.

The Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association (OHTIA) has set up an online survey to canvass the views of local tourism businesses and wants the council to hold back from awarding the lease.

A OHTIA spokesperson highlighted: “We have reiterated our position to CnES that they should undertake not to make any final decisions on the use of the castle until this study has been carried out, and the results published and assessed.

The apparent lack of information about the change from the original proposal to convert the castle into a plush hotel was raised by the OHTIA at a recent meeting with Comhairle bosses over the controversy.

The online survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/DGPZVWD

Natural Retreats is due to come to Stornoway give more details on their proposals for the castle next week.

► Tourism businesses surveyed over Lews Castle row

► 5 star proposals for Lews Castle