ATTEMPTS are being made to find new homes for tenants who face eviction to make way for staff at Andy Murray's luxury hotel.
Former hotel owners Henry and Edward Eden have approached Stirling Council's housing department after issuing the families notices to quit the cottages near the five-star Cromlix House, near Dunblane.
The owners of the cottages say three tenants on short-term lease agreements were told six months ago that they would have to leave after the Wimbledon champion bought the premises for £1.8 million.
It is understood Dunblane-born Murray will need the cottages in The Square for staff living quarters. The families have questioned why they are needed for this purpose if, as the hotel website has indicated, staff will come from the area.
Hotel management firm ICMI has said "specialist staff" are to be brought in from elsewhere and could not reach the site by public transport.
The eviction date is a week after the restored Cromlix House opens on April 1. Its 10 rooms and five suites are already fully booked for September's Ryder Cup.
Henry and Edward Eden, who ran the hotel for more than 30 years, said: "As owners of The Square near Dunblane, we can confirm we have served notice on three of our tenants. This is completely within the terms of their agreements."
Laura Campbell, 21, who has lived there for eight months with partner Grant Skinner, a chef, and their children Leah, 2, and Kieran, 7 months, said: "I've supported Andy Murray all the way. Everyone knows he's the local hero, but I've lost all respect for him now. He is making people homeless."
When the hotel deal was done in February last year, the tennis star revealed plans to transform the Victorian mansion into a 15-room five-star destination which would create up to 40 jobs.
A Stirling Council spokesman said: "Every household in Stirling that feels they are at risk of being made homeless is entitled to seek the assistance of the council."
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