Planned social hotel ‘a UK first’ for Inverness

Plans have been unveiled for what has been dubbed the UK’s first social enterprise hotel. Proposed for Inverness, it would offer training for vulnerable young people to work in the hospitality industry and gain experience and qualifications.

It has been modelled on similar projects in the Netherlands.

Highlands-based charities Albyn Housing and the Calman Trust have been trying to secure funding for the 100-room hotel, cafe and restaurant.

Vulnerable young people would work alongside hospitality staff running the hotel.

The organisations hope to have the building open in 2014.