The controversial funicular opened in 2001. Photo: Peter CC-BY-SA-2.0
Two companies are in the running to take over the controversial funicular and snowsports centre on Cairn Gorm.
A subsidiary of the huge government services company Serco will go head to head with holiday provider Natural Retreats in the bid to take over the resort from CairnGorm Mountain.
Serco Group is embroiled in allegations of overcharging the Government for tagging criminals. Natural Retreats’ bid in 2009 to build an ‘eco-village’ in Borrowdale, east of the Lake District, was thrown out by planners.
Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise is hosting an information day on Monday for members of the public who are interested in plans for the site.
The building of the funicular faced fierce initial opposition and the CairnGorm Mountain resort has had a troubled financial history. In March 2010 the Scottish Parliament’s public audit committee severely criticised Highlands and Islands Enterprise for lax practices which saw the cost of the funicular spiral to £26.75m.
The agency said: “HIE is currently in the midst of a detailed procurement exercise to try to identify a new operator to run the popular visitor attraction on its behalf.
“HIE’s ultimate aim is to attract new private investment to Cairn Gorm and secure the sustainable future of the business, which attracts thousands of visitors every year and helps underpin the local tourism sector.
“The opportunity to run the facilities, which will remain publicly owned, was promoted internationally through the Official Journal of the European Union earlier this year.
“Two bidders are now taking part in a process known as ‘competitive dialogue’ with HIE – Natural Retreats UK, and Serco Leisure Operating.
“Neither will be able to take part in the information day, however, as procurement it still ongoing.”
Charlotte Wright, HIE’s director of business and sector development, said: “Given the high level of local interest in this project, and the importance of snowsports and the funicular to the area, we have decided to hold a public information day in Aviemore.
“This will give interested local residents, business people and others a chance to find out more about HIE’s procurement process and what we are seeking to achieve through trying to attract a new operator.”
The information day, at the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore on Monday 14 October, will include an afternoon drop-in session from 2pm to 6pm, and an evening meeting which starts at 7.30pm.
Alex Paterson, HIE chief executive, and Grenville Johnston, chairman of present operator CairnGorm Mountain, will co-chair the evening meeting.
