THE former Marine Hotel staff accommodation building in North Berwick has been sold to one of Scotland’s pub giants.

The news was confirmed by Allied Surveyors Scotland, which was appointed to sell the building. It was put on the market in March.

It has been bought for redevelopment by Caledonian Heritable, one of Scotland’s largest privately owned leisure operators and property management companies.

Caledonian Heritable took charge of the Winton Arms in Pencaitland in 2019, it also owns The Dome in Edinburgh.

The company is run by Kevin Doyle, who owns Archerfield Estate.

The eventual sale price of the property is not being disclosed but it was in excess of the £1.353 million asking price.

The Dirleton Avenue property belonged to the Marine Hotel when it was owned by Macdonald Hotels.

It was once home to staff who worked at the hotel; both properties were bought from Macdonald Hotels and taken over by Chicago-based AJ Capital last year.

AJ Capital is currently redecorating the Marine Hotel, with plans for it to open in late summer.

The former staff building was put on the market as it “became surplus to requirements”, with Bruno De Schuyter, the Marine Hotel’s manager, adding that it “no longer fits its initial purpose” as AJ Capital said it was moving away from providing staff accommodation.

The property sits on a half-acre plot and, at 9,108 square feet, consists of 18 bedrooms over four storeys.

Iain Mercer, Allied Surveyor’s director of commercial agency (east), said: “Such is the demand for property in North Berwick there was considerable interest from the moment we listed it.

“It led to a highly competitive and, ultimately, successful closing date for our client.”

A major refurbishment of the seaside venue is currently under way.