Brides left in lurch as hotel shuts days after hiring staff Published on Tuesday 21 February 2012 01:57 A FIVE-STAR country house hotel that has closed suddenly was hiring new workers a week ago and gave staff no warning it was about to shut. The Cromlix House Hotel - which was the venue for tennis star Jamie Murray's wedding in October - is thought to have left at least three would-be brides in the lurch after suddenly shutting down on 16 February. And suppliers to the Dunblane hotel, which opened in the mid-1970s, are also thought to have been left out of pocket by the sudden closure. Industry leaders said they suspected the hotel had fallen victim to the wider economic downturn and a slump in consumer confidence. No-one was available to comment at Cromlix House. A statement on its website said: "We regret to inform you that as of 16 February, Cromlix House Hotel ceased trading. Additional information will be available here week commencing 20 February. We realise guests will be anxious to know more and we ask that you re-visit the website on or after 20 February. We thank all our great guests for their custom over the years - it has been a pleasure looking after you. Local businesses said the hotel's close had come as "a complete surprise." One shopkeeper in Dunblane said: "I know people who got work there at the beginning of last week and by Thursday were out of a job. It's come out of nowhere for the staff. Florist Trudi Todd said: "The hotel has been there for a long time and the closure has been very sudden. I know of brides who are now looking for a new venue. I would think a good 15 or 20 people must work there. The main building was the family seat of the Drummond family for generations and dates back to 1874. The Cromlix Estate on which it sits has roots in the 15th century. The hotel even boasts its own chapel, which can be used for weddings and other special events. The hotel had been open for more than 30 years, since businessman Ronald Eden transformed the former family home. Willie Macleod, executive director of the British Hospitality Association in Scotland, said: "I have not heard any information at all about why Cromlix House has closed. The only thing I can think is that it is a victim of circumstances and they have maybe decided it cannot operate any longer as a going interest. I know country house hotels around the country have been suffering as a result of reduced consumer confidence of late. The economic downturn has meant people generally have less money to spend. A spokesman for national tourism agency VisitScotland said: "It is obviously unfortunate when any tourism business ceases trading and this is no different with Cromlix House Hotel. At this stage we have been unable to ascertain any further information as to the reasons why and are therefore unable to comment further. In 1982, Cromlix House was voted UK Hotel of the Year by Egon Ronay and in 2002 the AA judged it "one of the best ten hotels in Scotland." However, the Eden family sold off the hotel to Glasgow-based hotel firm Alliedfreeze seven years ago.