US presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s golf resort in the north-east of Scotland grew sales last year despite the oil and gas downturn – but was still ended up £1million in the red.
Trump International Golf Club Scotland on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire hailed a 7.4% growth in sales last year, bringing in over £3million in turnover.
This was “in spite of the economic downturn experienced in the north-east of Scotland due to the collapse of oil prices with over a 100,000 redundancies affecting every sector in the region”, a report in its accounts filed at Companies House said.
Eric Trump, the 32-year-old son of the controversial US presidential candidate, said the resort had maintained its fees “at the highest level” in the year. Commenting in the company’s strategic report signed last month, the New York-based business man added that the revenue boost was also due to “a stablisation of footfall due to the growing international reputation of the golf resort”, as well as “effective sales and marketing activities”.
He added: “2015 was the third full playing golf season and saw the completion of the permanent clubhouse and appointment of a new sales and marketing team locally.
“This vital capital investment in retail, food, beverage and other guest facilities immediately resulted in a five-star status being awarded, and enabled the business to introduce individual membership.
“The property now offers pay-and-play golf and membership opportunities which will provide a robust business model going forward and help maintain revenue amidst the current economic downturn.”
He said this year the company aimed to “continue to expand and develop with further capital investment planned”.
Employees at the resort remained steady from 2014 at 95, including 14 involved in its seasonal golf operations, 48 food, beverage and accommodation staff, 18 involved in grounds and landscape maintenance and a further 15 employed in administration.
The firm said pre-tax losses reached £1million in the year to the end of December 2015, down slightly from a £1.1million loss in 2014.
A spokeswoman for Trump International said: “Year on year, Mr Trump continues to invest and develop the Aberdeen facilities which is reflected in the fiscal picture to date.”