THE chairman of the citizenM chain of boutique hotels says opening a branch in Glasgow city centre was a mistake because of the level of drinking by guests.
Rattan Chadha, founder of the low-cost trendy hotel firm, made the comments in an interview with business magazine Inc.
It was also published on the magazine's website and quoted Chadha who said that at the group's Renfield Street hotel: "Every evening we have someone falling down the stairs. Glasgow was a mistake."
The Dutch businessman started citizenM in 2007 with two hotels in Amsterdam before branching out in the UK, with Glasgow the firm's first venture outside the Netherlands.
Chadha said: "After opening our first two properties in Amsterdam, we were looking in the UK in 2007.
"London prices were sky-high, so when we found a prime place in downtown Glasgow, we said 'It's not ideal, but let's try.' It's the number one hotel in Glasgow, but it doesn't attract our target customers.
"Most people come from England or other parts of Scotland, and like to drink.
"When the bars close, they bring the party back to the hotel. That's not what we intended.
"Every evening, we have someone falling down the stairs. We've had to hire extra security."
The city-centre hotel was opened in August 2010 and it was swiftly followed by a development close to the Tate Modern gallery in London.
A citizenM spokeswoman said the comments were taken out of context and that Chadha had been referring to incidents when the hotel first opened. "It was one of the best decisions ever to go there," she said.
The spokeswoman added: "He never actually said Glasgow was a mistake, as we are very deeply rooted in Glasgow. The hotel is well received here and we are very happy with the Glasgow property."
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