Key Features
Established and profitable 9-bedroom travel lodge business
Unique historic property, originally built for the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow
Prominent central location in the heart of Lochgilphead
Excellent guest reputation with strong online ratings
Substantial and spacious owner’s accommodation
Excellent base for exploring Argyll and convenient for onward travel to the islands
Significant development opportunities, including increased room occupancy, extended trading, food service and private events
Highlight
Established and profitable 9-bedroom travel lodge in central Lochgilphead, set within a unique historic property with excellent guest ratings and spacious owner’s accommodation.
Description
Built in the 1930s and steeped in local history, Empire Travel Lodge is a distinctive property with a fascinating past and substantial owner’s accommodation.
The business is configured as a nine-bedroom guest house, although the current owners trade using eight letting bedrooms to suit their operational requirements. All guest bedrooms benefit from en-suite facilities.
The property also benefits from spacious and comfortable owners’ accommodation, including sole use of the first floor, which comprises two bedrooms, a lounge, a dining kitchen and a bathroom. In addition, the owners have exclusive use of a private lounge on the ground floor, with direct access to the garden and decked area, providing an appealing and secluded space separate from the guest accommodation.
The property has a remarkable history. It was originally constructed as the Empire News Theatre for the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow. Following the closure of the exhibition, it was one of the relatively few buildings to survive and was subsequently dismantled and reconstructed in Lochgilphead, where it became the Empire Cinema.
After its years as Lochgilphead’s picture house came to an end, the building was converted into a snooker hall before beginning a new chapter in 1992, when it opened as a guest house.
Today, Empire Travel Lodge provides comfortable affordable accommodation in the heart of Lochgilphead. All guest rooms are ensuite, with tea and coffee-making facilities, irons and ironing boards. The property also offers spacious family rooms capable of accommodating larger family groups.
Its location makes it a convenient stopping point for visitors exploring Argyll and those travelling onwards to the islands, with the Islay ferry terminal approximately a 25-minute drive away.
The combination of its unusual heritage, substantial accommodation and flexible owner’s living space gives Empire Travel Lodge considerable character and individuality.
Trade
Empire Travel Lodge is an established and profitable business which is currently operated on a deliberately restricted basis to suit the owners’ personal circumstances, presenting considerable scope for a new owner to develop the trade further.
The business currently operates below the VAT registration threshold, with the owners choosing to trade for a limited season and utilise only eight of the available nine letting bedrooms.
The property has an excellent reputation with guests, reflected in strong online ratings, including 9.0 – “Superb” on Booking.com and 4.8 – “Excellent” on Tripadvisor.
The business has achieved a Pass food hygiene rating and benefits from a dedicated website at https://www.empirelodge.co.uk/
Location
Empire Travel Lodge occupies a prominent and convenient position in Lochgilphead, an attractive town at the head of Loch Gilp in the heart of Argyll on Scotland’s west coast. As the administrative centre for the wider area, Lochgilphead provides a good range of everyday amenities and services, making it a practical base for both visitors and residents.
The town is well positioned for exploring the spectacular scenery, coastline and historic attractions of Argyll and the surrounding west coast. The area attracts visitors for walking, cycling, sailing, fishing and other outdoor pursuits, as well as those touring the region by car and motorcycle.
Lochgilphead also benefits from passing tourist traffic travelling through Argyll and onwards to the islands. The Kennacraig ferry terminal, providing services to Islay, is approximately a 25-minute drive to the south, making the property a convenient overnight stop for ferry passengers.
Nearby attractions include the historic village of Kilmartin and Kilmartin Glen, renowned for its remarkable concentration of prehistoric monuments, standing stones and archaeological sites. The picturesque harbour village of Crinan, the Crinan Canal and the surrounding coastline are also within easy reach.
With its central Argyll location, accessibility to ferry routes and proximity to many of the region’s principal attractions, Empire Travel Lodge is well placed to benefit from the established tourism market while providing a convenient base from which guests can explore this highly scenic part of Scotland.
Accommodation
The Property
The property comprises a unique two-storey detached building dating from the 1930s, retaining a number of characteristic features from the period, including a distinctive large bay window to the front elevation. The external walls are of rendered brick construction with a whitewashed finish, giving the property a bright and traditional appearance. The building incorporates a mixture of roof styles, adding to its individual character. The accommodation benefits from double glazing throughout, while French doors to the rear open directly onto the decked area, providing convenient access to the external grounds.
Owners Accommodation
The spacious owner’s accommodation is arranged over two floors. On the ground floor is a comfortable lounge with patio doors opening directly onto a decked area. A bathroom completes the ground-floor accommodation.
The entire first floor forms the main living accommodation and is bright, modern and generously proportioned. It comprises a spacious lounge and dining area leading through to the kitchen. There are two further well-proportioned bedrooms, together with ample storage throughout.
A partially floored attic is a useful usable storage space which could be further developed into accommodation.
Terms
Reason For Sale
The business is being offered for sale as the owners are now looking to retire after many years of ownership.
Rates / Council Tax
Empire Travel Lodge has a rateable value of £15,225 as at April 2026 (property reference: 01/03/A45780/0048C), comprising a residential apportionment of £2,925 and a non-residential apportionment of £12,300. The property may therefore be eligible for a discount under the Small Business Bonus Scheme, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria. The owners accommodation is assessed as Council tax band A (ref: 01/03/A45780/0048C).
Finance and Legal Services
ASG Commercial Ltd is in touch with a variety of different lenders who can provide specialist finance. We will be delighted to discuss your financing requirements with you and make an introduction where appropriate. We also have many contacts in the legal profession who can assist in all legal matters arising.
Specification
The property benefits from mains water, electricity and drainage. Wi-Fi connectivity is available, and LPG is provided for the tumble dryer.