Building once known as 'first hotel in Scotland' to become business hub

Plans have been given the green light to transform a building once recognized as "the first hotel in Scotland" into a business center.

The Greens Hotel in Gretna, previously known as the Garden House Hotel, is situated very near the Scotland-England border. For many years, it served as a venue for weddings and tourist lodging. Its proximity to the border earned it the moniker of Scotland's inaugural hotel.

The hotel ceased operations in 2020 due to the effects of the Covid pandemic. Although it briefly reopened as a restaurant in 2023, it subsequently closed again, citing deteriorating economic conditions and the cost of living crisis.

A planning statement advocating for the change of use indicated that the site was "no longer financially viable" as a hotel. However, it suggested that the prominent landmark could still be repurposed "for the benefit of the wider community." A council report concurred that the reuse of the "significant vacant site" at the town's entrance would be advantageous and would complement the existing shopping complex at Caledonia Park. The report further stated, "It has been demonstrated that the previous hotel use had become unviable and the proposed use would, therefore, also have a potential positive economic impact."

Gretna is renowned as Scotland's wedding capital, hosting thousands of ceremonies annually. The pandemic and subsequent restrictions on gathering sizes severely impacted this industry. While wedding numbers have since rebounded, the hotel was unable to sustain itself and closed its doors in 2020. It reopened briefly but has remained shut for the past two years.