An English professional footballer who is spearheading an ambitious Aparthotel and business hub venture, has spoken of his excitement as the project nears completion.
Rochdale FC’s all-time leading goalscorer, Ian Henderson, has teamed up with three other businessmen for the £500,000 investment in Ayr’s historic Wellington Square.
The group, a consortium of businessmen who represent 3 Sigma Ayr Ltd, was granted planning permission earlier this year to convert the basement space of a category B-listed property at 21 Wellington Square into two aparthotel suites.
The work also includes the conversion of the ground floor, first floor and attic space into a business hub, which they hope will attract start-up companies, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
And Ayrshire Live can reveal that the entire building will be operational by the end of January.
Significant work has been carried out at the property over the last few months with striker Ian admitting the interior has been “lovingly restored.”
Now the race is on to make sure the building has all the mod cons that business people in the Ayrshire community can count on such as superfast broadband, secure video entry, and dedicated parking.
Once operational, the aparthotel/business hub is expected to be the first of its kind in the Ayrshire region – and finished to the highest of standards.
Speaking exclusively to Ayrshire Live, former Norwich City frontman Ian, 39, said: “We are coming to the end of the work and it’s been lovingly restored. Phase one of the serviced offices is now complete. Phase two the development of the Aparthotel has already began and we hope to be operational and open by the end of January.
“When we were looking at potential locations around Scotland, we identified Ayrshire, and Ayr in particular, as one of our potential hubs. There’s the airport, tourism, close proximity to Glasgow and championship golf courses, and since Covid, we’ve found that more people are looking for this kind of space and flexible offering for serviced offices and hybrid aparthotel offering. That’s the model we are looking to operate in.
“One of our key values, as a group, is to try to be the best in our class, offer something that’s different to what’s already out there in the local areas we’re investing in. There will be serviced offices and there’s the serviced apartments. This will be the first of its type in Ayrshire.”
Taking on an old building and breathing new life into it, as did JD Wetherspoon owner, Tim Martin, is not a new concept.
However, Ian’s company is unique in that their plan is to provide buildings with multiple uses for business and commerce, short stay luxury breaks and more.
Ian said: “We have identified other key areas in Ayrshire where we could look to invest. Basically our strategy is taking on vacant commercial buildings that are coming to the end of their useful life, we give them a bit of TLC and we bring them back to life. This has the potential to work really well and we have already seen that in other areas of the UK.”
The refurbishment works, along with the cost of the property, will take the company’s total investment in 21 Wellington Square to around £500,000.
Ian, whose late father Gordon was Scottish, said: “I’ve been involved in property since I was 19 and the other guys on board have a great understanding of the property world too, both in residential and commercial. We want to be free-standing from what the other firms are doing in the market. And transparency is our watchword. This will be about job creation, growth in the local economy and providing a service. In terms of our investment, including the cost of the purchase and along with the work, the total spend will be about £500,000.”
The team has partnered with Jamie Macdonald, of Macdonald Engineers, to deliver the project.
Once operational, 21 Wellington Square, will fall under 3 Siga Ayr’s Haüss branding and more information can be found at https://www.hauss.co.uk. The company is already embarking on a similar project in Coatbridge, which involves the creation of a 12 bedroom Aparthotel.
Ian said: “We have another development in Coatbridge, which we will be converting to a an 12-bedroom Aparthotel. There’s four of us involved – Stephen Gallagher, Derek McGroarty, and Peter Rooney. It’s a collaboration in Scotland which is an area of interest to us. I’m half Scottish as my dad Gordon John Henderson grew up in the south side of Glasgow, so there is a Scottish connection there.
“I have looked high and low across Ayrshire and we believe we are the first with this specific type of offering. The outside of the building will be painted, so too will the railings to make it even more prettier than it is. In terms of the inside, it’s got unbelievable period features.
“In terms of the ground floor, first floor and attic, these will be available for modern businesses and the basement will be the aparthotel/hotel offering a unique multi sensory experience for visitors to Ayr. It will combine the charm of a heritage building with luxurious, modern amenities.
“This space is designed to attract discerning tourists and business travellers alike. And with its prime location near the town centre and beach, it’s perfectly positioned to enhance Ayr’s appeal as a destination.
“Essentially, 21 Wellington Square is a chunky asset. We are trying to deliver a mixed use project to add to the local economy, helping business and SME’s and the ever growing tourism market.”
Ian added: “This project is not just about restoring a building; it’s about creating opportunities. From supporting SMEs to boosting the tourism industry, our aim is to make a meaningful contribution to Ayr’s economy and community. And with the final touches now complete, the serviced offices are officially ready for tenants, and the Aparthotel will soon be available for bookings for end of January 2025.”
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