A popular Dundee hotel has created 15 new jobs and grown turnover by 10 per cent since changing ownership in 2022, as the team looks ahead to increased visitor demand when The Open Championship returns to St Andrews in 2027.
The Invercarse Hotel, in the city’s west end with views over the River Tay, has undergone a major revamp in recent years under the new ownership of local hoteliers Sean Burke and Paul Brownlie, with efforts focused on guest facilities and public spaces.
Upgrades include the refurbishment of 25 guest bathrooms and improvements to public bathrooms, as well as refreshing the event spaces and bar lounge. The Redwood Restaurant has also been revitalised to appeal to the local lunch market, with a seasonally changing menu, a focus on locally sourced produce and new kitchen equipment.
As part of the revamp, the hotel has expanded its team, adding new front-of-house roles to support day-to-day operations.
Invercarse has also strengthened its position in the city’s events market, regularly hosting up to three private functions a day, with capacity for up to 300 guests across four event spaces. The University of Dundee balls, sports dinners, charity fundraisers, weddings and funeral teas are now regular fixtures on the calendar.
The hotel’s growth has been supported by a £3.2m funding package from Bank of Scotland, helping Sean and Paul refinance the remaining balance of their original hotel acquisition and reinvest in the next stage of growth.
Following the refurbishment, the hotel has gained national recognition, including being named Banqueting Hotel of the Year at the National Hotels of the Year Scotland awards, the first time a venue outside Edinburgh or Glasgow has scooped the title, alongside recognition for Caring & Family Events and the regional prize for Casual Dining.
With The Open Championship returning nearby in 2027, the team is already planning for another bumper summer, following a surge in room demand when the championship came to town in 2022.
Sean Burke, co-owner of Invercarse Hotel, said: “I began my career here following university, and worked my way to General Manager through various roles. Paul was running a local restaurant for 10 years prior to joining the team as Deputy Manager. Between us, we bring almost 50 years industry experience to the hotel.
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“We realised pretty quickly we were on the same page. When the chance came to buy the hotel, we went for it and haven’t looked back since. We’ve modernised the place, built a brilliant team and brought in a lot of new customers. Dundee means a lot to us and we’re always incredibly grateful for the support the local community gives both the team and the business. Keeping things local and creating a great place for people to come together has always been part of the plan.”
The hotel also plays an active role in the local community, sponsoring children’s charity Help for Kids Dundee and the Women’s Collective.
Andy McKie, relationship director at Bank of Scotland, added: “Sean and Paul know this hotel inside out, they’ve grown up in the industry and it shows in the way they run things. It’s been great to help them invest in the business and we’re excited to see what they do next, especially with The Open on the horizon.”
