ONE OF Donegal’s best known family-run hotels will remain closed after its Christmas break, it has been confirmed.
Gleneany House, located in the centre of Letterkenny, is owned by the Kelly family. Paul Kelly cited tough trading times as being the main reason behind the decision to close the hotel after almost 20 years in business.
“Today is a very sad day for the entire Kelly family and for me personally, as Gleneany House has been a major part of my life for almost 20 years, but due to very tough trading times, it is no longer economically possible to remain open.
“I would like to thank everyone for supporting us down through the years, our customers, suppliers and most importantly, our loyal committed and hard working staff past and present,” Mr Kelly said.
President of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce Patrick McGinley said many businesses were feeling the pinch and the hotel industry was no different.
“The hotel industry is under the same pressure that everybody else is under. I think we are going to have another difficult year next year.
“Businesses, especially many in the service industry including hotels, restaurants and bars, are finding things very difficult at the moment,” he said.
“I am very sad to hear the news because the Kelly family ran a fine hotel and were very well- respected as hard working and decent people,” he added.
The closure of the budget hotel, which employed 20 people at its peak, comes a week after the Bastille Bistro on the town’s High Road closed with the loss of 15 jobs.