Hotel counts cost as drainage work affects business

ONE of the south-east’s busiest hotels has been forced to turn away conferences, weddings and family bookings because of construction work under way just yards from the building.

The River Nore flows directly past Kilkenny’s four star River Court Hotel and ongoing drainage works, bulldozing and constant pounding for over a year has left its general manager, Peter Wilson utterly frustrated.

“I’ve been trying for a year-and-a-half to get a schedule of works from the people working on this project, but I can’t. I’ve been given no idea when it will finish. It’s affecting our business in a huge way,” he said.

The hotel has turned down several major conferences as well as weddings and other major events.

Mr Wilson described the whole situation as scandalous. He said he’s written numerous letters to those involved in the project but can’t get the answers he desperately needs.

The hotel will get compensation for its losses when the project is complete.

A spokesperson for the Office of Public Works, which is overseeing the project, said the hotel is briefed fortnightly on what will take place along the river.