Business goes on charity run

Sep 12 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

WHILE many companies are feeling the effects of the credit crunch and cutting back, one enthusiastic enterprise in Strathearn is doing just the opposite.

Family-run business the Henderson Group are spending £1.5 million transforming the former Roundlewood Spa and care home in Crieff into a luxury holiday destination.

And father and son team Chic and Jason Henderson are hoping that Knock Castle Hotel and Spa, as it is now known, will soon be one of the top independent hotels in the country.

Jason, the manager and chef, is very much hands on in the business.

During refurbishments, rather than trade-in or dispose of Roundlewood's existing equipment and furniture, Jason donated it all to the Crieff Aid Project, run by Crieff's Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The church supports care homes in Eastern Europe and Jason made sure the £16,000 consignment being loaded for Romania left in good condition by operating the fork lit truck himself.

His passion for the new venture was clear at Knock Castle's recent open day to let locals see the changes to the grand Victorian mansion house.

“As soon as we saw the place andits setting, we felt at home andknew this was the place for us,” said Jason.

“We believe in it so much we are not going to be put off by the credit crunch.”