Hotel Du Vin has been granted special dispensation by Edinburgh Licensing Board and awarded an alcohol licence at its forthcoming £10m property in the city.

The 47-bedroom hotel in the City’s Old Town on the site of the former Royal Infirmary Hospital was initially refused a liquor licence due to the council’s saturation policy covering the Cowgate and Grassmarket areas.

However, after a series of meetings during the past three months, the group has won support from the local and business community to be allowed a licence, which has been enough to sway local licensing officials. The hotel is now set to open its doors to the public this summer.

Robert Cook chief executive of Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, said: “The decision allows us to run a quality business in Edinburgh, which has for some time been our number one target for a new premises.

“We are confident that redevelopment of this site as a boutique hotel will complement the Old Town and indeed Edinburgh as a whole.”

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by Chris Druce

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