Sale of Brentwood Hotel to Brudolff group falls through

The sale of the Brentwood Hotel in Aberdeen to Shetland businessman Robert Smith’s hotel group has fallen through.

In a surprise announcement the Brentwood’s owners said the Crown Street establishment, popular with islanders, was not being sold to the Brudolff Hotels Group despite a deal being announced over three weeks ago by Brudolff and property broker Christie + Co.

The sale was to have been concluded on 1st November with the transfer to Brudolff taking place that day.

But Brentwood manager Robert Younge said the 66-bedroom hotel had not been sold and is still owned by Luigi Stucchi’s company. He said it would continue to operate with the same management team and staff, “ensuring business as usual”.

The failed deal was confirmed by Mr Smith, Brudolff’s managing director who is based in Aberdeen. He said the two parties had been “unable to agree on certain aspects of the transaction and they had therefore exercised their entitlement to withdraw”.

He added: “The Brentwood is a nice hotel with pleasant staff and a good recent refurbishment and will be an excellent opportunity for someone. However, if we are unable to agree all matters with the seller that is disappointing but just how it can be in commerce. So it’s back to the drawing board on our own plans in Aberdeen.”

Brudolff owns the Shetland, Lerwick and Kveldsro hotels in Lerwick and the Craighaar Hotel near Aberdeen Airport.

Mr Younge added: “The Brentwood has for the last 30 years enjoyed a special relationship with Shetlanders and we look forward to continuing welcoming friends old and new.”