A children’s hospice is hoping to turn an estate in Gartocharn into an exclusive world renowned wedding and events venue.
Bosses at Childrens Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), which runs Robin House in Balloch, were overwhelmed in 2020 after being handed 133-acre Ardoch Estate by philanthropist Peter Armitage, along with a further cash donation of £1m from his Ardoch Foundation.
CHAS assumed full responsibility for the estate in July 2021.
However, it says while the estate is “a significant opportunity for the charity” it is also mindful of the responsibilities associated with operating it and that it is a “major undertaking, requiring significant annual operating costs”.
CHAS has now submitted an application to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Parkplanners to diversify and intensify a training centre on the estate to include a wedding venue with a temporary marquee.
While still intending to cater for the estate’s traditional business base, the charity wants to add private gatherings and to continue to host weddings - but increase capacity for those from 60 to 150 guests with the use of marquees.
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In documents submitted with the application, agents for CHAS said: “The key target market for Ardoch will remain as a charity/corporate sector meeting destination. However the revenue potential from hosting weddings within the Estate means that this use must be considered as a potential market for significant income and which could overcome issues relating to occupancy and seasonality.
“The proposed development at Ardoch, will attract additional economic benefits not only to CHAS and the estate but to the wider area and local economy, ranging from providing additional employment opportunities to attracting more visitors to the area and support for local suppliers of goods and services (supply chain). For example, it is likely that economic benefits will accrue to the area whereby local B&Bs and hotels could benefit from a demand for accommodation for additional guests attending events at Ardoch due to its limited residential capacity.”
The agents said as a unique facility within the “exclusive use” Scottish hospitality industry, customers would be able to reserve Ardoch Estate with two key factors in mind - choosing a high calibre, quality venue and also supporting CHAS to achieve a sustainable means of securing revenue, therefore making a difference to the lives of children and their families across Scotland who require the charity’s support.
They added it was vital the estate was operated as a separate commercial enterprise or there would be a “significant risk” it could become a drain on CHAS’s resources and sources of charitable income. The focus for Ardoch would therefore be generating a fair profit in order to be able to contribute to the central charitable work that CHAS undertakes.
“The aim is for the business at Ardoch to be self-funding and eventually become a sustainable income generator for CHAS and the charitable works which form the focus of the organisation.
“It is intended that Ardoch will be run as a distinct and separate enterprise from the rest of CHAS’s operations and that it will be a separate trading subsidiary company of CHAS, operating within a ‘profit with purpose’ business model.”
The current use as a residential training centre and meeting venue meant Ardoch was often unoccupied at weekends and holiday periods, representing lost income potential while CHAS still had to cover ongoing the operating costs of the venue in the midst of the impact of the Covid pandemic.
“It is without doubt that CHAS is extremely grateful for the generous gift of Ardoch Estate,” said the agents, “However, in order for the full potential of this gift to be realised and the economic benefits to both CHAS and the National Park realised, the proposed intensification of use is essential in economic terms.
“Otherwise, there is a risk of Ardoch becoming a drain on resources rather than an asset in relation to CHAS’s main purpose.
“The existing maximum overnight residential capacity of Ardoch of 38 guests will be maintained, the estate will continue to operate a ‘no fireworks’ policy and no additional outdoor lighting is proposed.”
National Park planners are expected to make a recommendation in due course.
