Edzell jobs boost
by Tim Pauling
(Article published in the Press and Journal on Monday 20 April 1998)
A NORTH-EAST hotelier plans to re-open the Panmure Arms Hotel in Edzell, with the creation of around 18 jobs.
The move is seen as a vote of confidence in the area and delighted villagers who are suffering following the closure of RAF Edzell last September which delivered an economic body blow.
David Blacklaws will give up his job as general manager of the Earls Court Hotel, in Aberdeen, this week to concentrate on putting the final touches to his dream.
He has spent thousands of pounds in the past six months refurbishing the 16-room hotel in the village's High Street. If everything goes to plan, the hotel, which closed about a year ago, will re-open for business in about eight weeks.
At its height 1,000 servicemen lived at RAF Edzell with 2,000 family members. When the US Navy pulled out in September many local people who worked on the base lost their jobs.
Plans are in the pipeline to redevelop the site with a promise of hundreds of jobs.
Welbeck Homes, of Somerset, are to refurbish and sell the 144 servicemen's homes, while Laurencekirk agricultural family business, D.M. Carnegie, have bought the hangars, runways, workshops and offices.
Mr Blacklaws, 30, said he is not too concerned about the base's closure as there is still a lot of people living in the area and goodwill in the village.
''We'll build on that and provide a service to the community and hopefully the community will respond," he said.
''To be honest I don't think they had much business from the base. When it was open all the Americans had subsidised food and accommodation on the base.
''They did occasionally come off base and there were some people who worked there, but on the whole the offshoot from the base when it was occupied was a minimum.
''It will do something for the community when it is reorganized, whether it is light industry or housing."
Mr Blacklaws said he will not be relying just on summer tourism, and the hotel will offer a complete range of services -- bar, restaurant, functions, conferences and rooms.
''It will re-open in about two months. It will be a full hotel again and put employment back into the village," he said.
Elinor Milne, who owns the Spar grocers with her husband Robert, said: ''I am just delighted it is opening."
She said the village had been exceptionally quiet over the winter and a lot of people have had to
seek jobs elsewhere.
''I think he is a brave man and I certainly wish him the best. The more businesses there are in Edzell the better; there is more reason for people to come here.
''We are looking forward to it opening. Rather than something shutting, something opening will be rather nice."
Her sentiments were echoed by another local businesswoman who did not want to be named.
''It was a really very busy hotel, not just from people in the village but people from round about as well. I certainly think -- depending on what type of hotel it is -- it is going to be well used,'' she said.
''A lot of Americans stayed in the village. They are gone but there are people moving into their houses. Something is needed to pick up the economy. I am hoping the hotel will mean employment for local people."
Local councillor Stewart Mowatt said: ''I think the re-opening of the Panmure Arms will be welcome to the citizens of Edzell, not only because it creates jobs but because it is a new facility at that end of the village."
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