Sector consultancy for operators, investors and landowners in hospitality.
Feasibility studies, business planning, due diligence and growth strategy for hospitality and tourism ventures across Scotland, grounded in how the sector really trades.
Significant decisions deserve a careful independent opinion.
Buying a hotel, converting a steading into a lodge, adding a second site: each decision commits real money and takes years to prove. We help you test the idea against the market and the numbers before you commit.
Our work is independent. We do not sell properties, franchises or equipment, so our recommendation is whatever the evidence supports, including a recommendation not to proceed.
Anyone making a major decision about buying, building, financing or growing a hospitality business.
A clear recommendation supported by market evidence, financial forecasts and a risk assessment.
Site visits, market data, interviews and financial modelling, presented in plain English.
Strategic support for the sector
Market and feasibility studies
Test demand, competition and seasonality before capital is committed.
- Visitor and local demand analysis
- Competitor and rate benchmarking
- Realistic trading forecasts
- Site and concept options
Business planning and funding readiness
Business plans and financial models that stand up to lender scrutiny.
- Multi-year forecasts and cash flow
- Funding structure options
- Lender-ready presentation packs
- Support at lender meetings
Acquisition due diligence
An operational, physical and trading review of a business before you buy it.
- Review of trading history and accounts
- Condition and compliance overview
- Staffing and contract review
- Valuation considerations and risks
Sustainability and energy strategy
Practical steps to reduce running costs and meet guest and lender expectations.
- Energy and waste cost review
- Efficiency and investment priorities
- Sustainable sourcing options
- Guest-facing communication
Multi-site and group strategy
Standards, central functions and reporting for operators growing beyond one site.
- Operating model and standards
- Central purchasing and systems
- Management structure
- Performance reporting
Brand and visitor strategy
Position your business for the right visitors in Highland, island, city and coastal markets.
- Brand and proposition review
- Seasonality and extension strategies
- Partnerships and packages
- Marketing priorities
Experience across the visitor economy
From question to decision
Define the question
Agree the decision to be made, the evidence needed and the deadline.
Gather evidence
Site visits, market data, interviews and financial review.
Analyse and test
Scenarios, sensitivities and risk.
Recommend
A clear recommendation, with a plan if you proceed.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
Are you independent of suppliers and agents?
Yes. We do not sell properties, equipment or franchises. Our advice follows the evidence.
Can you prepare a pack for my bank?
Yes. We prepare business plans and financial models in the format lenders expect, and can attend meetings.
Do you cover the Highlands and Islands specifically?
We advise across Scotland. Rural and island businesses have particular seasonality, staffing and transport issues, and we plan for them directly.
What if the idea does not stack up?
Then we tell you, and explain why. A clear no is cheaper than a failed venture.
Often combined with this service
Operational consultancy for hotels and restaurants that are already trading.
We examine how your business actually runs, identify where margin and goodwill are being lost, and help you put practical improvements in place.
An independent view from people who understand the floor.
Owners are often too close to the business to see what is holding it back: a menu that sells well but earns little, a rota that is costly on quiet nights and thin on busy ones, a guest journey with one awkward step that appears in many reviews.
We observe service, read the numbers and speak with your team. You then receive a short, specific list of changes, ranked by return and effort, with clear responsibility for each.
Established hotels, restaurants, inns and bars that want better results without starting again.
A findings report, a ranked action plan, costed recommendations and, if you wish, hands-on support to implement them.
Observation, data review and conversation with your team, delivered with minimal disruption to service.
Where we help
Operational review
A structured review of how the business runs day to day, from purchasing to payment.
- Service, kitchen and housekeeping routines
- Purchasing, waste and stock control
- Management reporting and meetings
- Clear priorities with owners and dates
Menu and margin analysis
Understand which dishes and drinks earn the business its profit, and adjust accordingly.
- Dish costing and gross margin review
- Menu engineering and layout
- Pricing and portion strategy
- Supplier and specification review
Staffing and rota optimisation
Align labour with demand and build a stable, motivated team.
- Labour cost as a percentage of sales
- Rota patterns against booking data
- Role clarity and training needs
- Retention and recruitment approach
Guest experience
Map every guest touchpoint and close the gaps that cost reviews and repeat visits.
- Review analysis and themes
- Booking, arrival and service walkthrough
- Complaint handling process
- Service standards and coaching
Technology and data
Make better use of the systems you already pay for, and add only what is needed.
- Booking and point of sale review
- Reporting dashboards that managers use
- Integrations and automation
- Data protection basics
Sales and marketing
A plain-spoken plan for the year that brings in more of the right guests.
- Direct bookings and local partnerships
- Events, packages and seasonal offers
- Online listings and reviews
- Calendar of activity and budget
Engagement options
Start with a short diagnostic and go as deep as the business requires.
One to two days on site
A rapid and candid assessment of the business.
- Observed service and walk-through
- Review of key figures
- Verbal findings on the day
- Short list of priorities
Full report and action plan
A thorough assessment with a clear roadmap.
- Detailed operational and financial review
- Staff and guest input
- Costed recommendations
- Presentation to owners and managers
Ongoing monthly support
A trusted partner as you carry out the plan.
- Regular visits and calls
- Progress tracking against the plan
- Support for managers
- Advice when you need it
How a consultancy engagement runs
Scope
A conversation to agree objectives, access and timing.
Observe
Time on site, data review and discussion with your team.
Report
Findings, ranked recommendations and costed options.
Implement
Support to put changes in place and measure the effect.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
Do you need to disrupt service to review the business?
No. We observe service as a guest or as a quiet presence, and hold conversations with staff at quiet times.
Will you share the findings with my team?
As you prefer. Some owners want a private report, others want us to present to the whole team. We agree this at the start.
Do you help implement the changes?
Yes. We can stay on to help put changes in place, or hand over a clear plan your own team can follow.
Is the first conversation free?
Yes. We are happy to have an initial no-obligation conversation to understand the business.
Often combined with this service
New start consultancy for first-time hospitality owners.
Test your idea, build a plan, secure funding and avoid the costly mistakes that catch newcomers out, with an experienced adviser alongside you.
Passion starts a business. Preparation keeps it open.
Many people dream of a restaurant, a small hotel or a guest house. Far fewer have a clear picture of the costs, hours, regulation and cash needed before the first guest pays a bill.
We sit down with you, ask the difficult questions respectfully and help you shape a venture that fits both the market and your own life. If the idea needs adjusting, you find out before you have signed a lease.
First-time owners, career changers and families entering the hospitality sector.
A tested concept, a business plan with forecasts, funding preparation, site guidance and a launch plan.
Regular working sessions at your pace, in plain language, with honest advice at every stage.
The foundations of a new venture
Idea testing
Find out who will pay, how much and how often, before you commit your savings.
- Local demand and competitor review
- Customer and price testing
- Concept refinement
- Go or no-go recommendation
Business plan and forecasts
A clear plan that shows the numbers and the assumptions behind them.
- Opening cost schedule
- Cash flow and break-even analysis
- First-year trading forecast
- Personal income expectations
Funding and structure
Prepare for lenders and funders and choose a structure with your accountant.
- Funding options and lender packs
- Equity, loan and grant considerations
- Legal structure discussion
- Insurance overview
Finding the right site
Assess locations, leases and buildings before you are committed.
- Location and footfall review
- Lease terms and negotiation points
- Building condition and suitability
- Planning and licensing considerations
Licences and legal basics
Understand what you need, in which order, and who to speak to.
- Premises licence and registration steps
- Health, safety and fire requirements
- Employment basics
- Data protection and consumer law
Launch and early marketing
A first-ninety-days plan that builds awareness and regular customers.
- Name, brand and website
- Online listings and reviews
- Opening promotion
- Early customer feedback loop
Questions we help you answer.
We will not promise that a business is a good idea. We will help you find out whether it is.
- How much money do I really need?Opening costs, working capital and a buffer for the slower first months.
- Is this the right site?Footfall, parking, seasonality, lease terms and building condition.
- Can I make a living from it?Break-even covers, margins and what your own income realistically looks like.
- What will I need to learn?Skills gaps and who to bring in to cover them.
- What if it starts slowly?A downside plan agreed before you sign anything.
Our new start programme
Discovery conversation
Your goals, funds, experience and constraints.
Concept and feasibility
Test the idea against the market and refine it.
Plan and funding
Build the plan and approach lenders with confidence.
Set up and launch
Move into delivery, with our setup and project teams if you wish.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
I have never worked in hospitality. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily. We will help you identify skills gaps and plan who to hire, so you are not relying on guesswork.
How much money do I need to start?
It varies widely by type of venue. We build a realistic opening budget and cash-flow forecast specific to your idea.
Can you help me find a property?
We help you define what to look for, test sites against your plan and review leases before you sign.
Will you take over once I have a plan?
We can. Our setup and project management teams can carry the project through to opening.
Often combined with this service
Restaurant Setup
Concept, kitchen, licences, team and systems for a confident opening.
ExploreHotel Setup
Room product, systems, distribution and staffing for hotels, inns and lodges.
ExploreHospitality Sector Consultancy
Feasibility, funding readiness and growth strategy across the visitor economy.
ExploreRefurbishment consultancy that protects your budget, programme and trading.
Guidance from first survey to reopening for hotels, restaurants and venues, balancing design ambition, cost control, timing and the needs of an operating business.
Good refurbishment is decided long before the first contractor arrives.
Overruns and disputes nearly always trace back to an unclear brief, a rushed survey or a budget that left out the unglamorous items. We invest time in those early stages so the works themselves run smoothly.
We also plan around your calendar. Works can be phased to protect peak seasons, weddings, events and your strongest trading weeks.
Owners planning a refurbishment of any scale who want control of cost, quality and timing.
Condition survey, design brief, costed budget, approvals plan, tender documents and a phased programme.
Independent of designers and contractors, so advice is focused on your interests.
How we support a refurbishment
Surveys and condition review
Understand the building before you plan the work, so surprises become planned items.
- Building fabric and services condition
- Defects, risks and urgent repairs
- Budget implications of findings
- Priority and phasing recommendations
Design brief and concept
A brief that reflects your guests and brand, with options visualised before you commit.
- Brand and guest requirements
- Space planning and concept options
- Finishes and specification principles
- Alignment with budget
Budgeting and phasing
Realistic budgets with contingency, and a programme that protects revenue.
- Cost plan with contingency
- Phasing against bookings and events
- Cash flow and payment schedule
- Value engineering options
Approvals and consents
The permissions your project needs, identified early so they do not delay works.
- Planning and building warrant advice
- Licensing changes
- Heritage and listed building requirements
- Fire safety strategy
Procurement and contractor selection
A fair and transparent process to appoint the right team on the right terms.
- Tender documents and scope
- Bid comparison and clarifications
- Contract advice and appointment
- Supplier and long-lead item planning
Energy efficiency
Choices that cut running costs and improve guest comfort for years to come.
- Insulation, glazing and heating options
- Lighting and controls
- Hot water and ventilation
- Payback and funding considerations
From survey to reopening
Survey
Establish the condition and limits of the building.
Brief and budget
Agree scope, standards and money.
Design and approvals
Drawings, warrants and consents.
Procure
Tender, compare and appoint.
Works
Supervised delivery with cost control.
Snag and reopen
Inspection, corrections and a prepared reopening.
Refurbishing while you continue to trade.
Many owners cannot afford to close. We plan works so that income continues wherever it is safe and practical to do so.
- Phased room blocksRooms or wings taken out of sale in sequence, with accurate availability updates.
- Quiet-hours schedulingNoisy work timed away from breakfast, dinner and events.
- Guest communicationClear notices and honest messaging so expectations are managed.
- Safe separationHoarding, routes and fire strategy that keep guests and staff safe.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
Can we stay open during the works?
Often yes. We plan phased works, quiet-hour scheduling and safe separation to protect trading. Some projects do need a short closure and we say so early.
Do you provide the designers and builders?
We help you select and appoint them, and oversee the work. You remain in control of who you contract with.
How do you control cost overruns?
Through a thorough survey, a realistic contingency, a clear brief and strict change control during the works.
Do you work with listed or historic buildings?
Yes. We identify heritage requirements early, because they affect design, approvals and timescales.
Often combined with this service
Cookie Policy
What cookies and similar technologies this website uses, and how to control them.
Last updated: 7 October 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how the MacAli Group Scotland website uses cookies and similar technologies. MacAli Group Scotland is the trading name of ALI & SONS HOLDING LIMITED (company number SC363948). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, to remember your preferences and to provide information to the site owner. Similar technologies include local storage and tracking pixels.
2. Cookies we use
This website does not use advertising, analytics or tracking cookies, and it does not place any non-essential cookies on your device. Because we do not use non-essential cookies, we do not show a cookie consent banner.
| Type | Purpose | Used on this site |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Needed for the website to work, for example security or remembering a form entry while you type. | None set by us |
| Preferences | Remember choices such as language or display settings. | None |
| Analytics | Measure how visitors use the site. | None |
| Advertising and tracking | Build profiles or show targeted advertising. | None |
3. Third-party content
To display our typefaces, pages load font files from Google Fonts (fonts.googleapis.com and fonts.gstatic.com). When this happens your browser sends a request to Google, which includes your IP address and basic browser information. Google Fonts does not set cookies for this purpose. You can read more in Google’s privacy information at policies.google.com/privacy. If we add other third-party services in future, such as analytics, maps or embedded video, we will update this policy and ask for your consent before any non-essential cookies are used.
4. Managing cookies
You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you block all cookies, block third-party cookies or clear cookies when you close the browser. Instructions are available at aboutcookies.org. Blocking cookies will not affect your use of this website.
5. Contact
If you have questions about this policy, please contact us:
- Company: ALI & SONS HOLDING LIMITED, registered in Scotland, company number SC363948.
- Registered office:
- Email:
- Telephone:
- You can also contact us through the enquiry form on our website.
6. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy if we change the way the website works. The latest version will always be published on this page.
Hotel and guest accommodation setup, planned around the guest journey.
We set up hotels, inns, lodges and serviced accommodation, from room product and operating systems to online distribution and staffing, so the first night runs as smoothly as the hundredth.
A hotel opening depends on many details finishing together.
Linen, locks, channel listings, breakfast service, fire certificates and the person on reception on day one: each is simple, and getting them all ready on the same date is the real challenge.
We plan the opening as a single programme, brief every trade and supplier to the same date and rehearse the guest journey before real guests arrive. The result is a property that feels established from its first booking.
New owners, operators converting a building to accommodation and businesses launching an additional property.
Positioning and rate strategy, a defined room product, configured systems, online listings and a trained team.
One opening programme, a named lead and a rehearsed guest journey before launch.
From room product to reservations
Brand, positioning and rate strategy
Clarity on who stays with you, why they choose you and what you charge.
- Target guest segments and booking sources
- Competitor and local market analysis
- Rate structure and seasonal pricing
- Property name, voice and story
Room product and layout
A consistent room standard that is comfortable, efficient to clean and attractive to book.
- Room mix and bed configurations
- Bathrooms, storage and small comforts
- Furniture, linen and amenity specification
- Accessibility and family arrangements
Front desk and property systems
The operating tools behind check-in, billing and guest communication.
- Property management system set-up
- Key cards, locks and access control
- Payments and deposits
- Guest messaging and arrival information
Housekeeping and laundry
Standards and routines that keep rooms ready, on time and consistently clean.
- Cleaning standards and room checklists
- Room turn times and daily allocation
- Linen levels and laundry arrangements
- Supplies and storage
Food, drink and events
Breakfast, restaurant, bar and meeting space planned as part of one guest experience.
- Breakfast offer and service model
- Restaurant and bar integration
- Meeting and event space options
- Local supplier relationships
Revenue and distribution
The online presence and tools that bring in bookings and protect your rate.
- Channel manager and online travel listings
- Direct booking tools
- Photography and listing content
- Rate and availability management
Staffing structure and training
The right team in the right roles, trained to the standard the brand promises.
- Roles, rotas and labour budgets
- Recruitment and induction support
- Service and hospitality training
- Management reporting routines
Licensing, safety and quality grading
Compliance and recognition handled early, so they never delay opening.
- Licensing and short-term let requirements
- Fire safety and risk assessment
- Insurance and health and safety
- Preparation for quality assurance schemes
How a hotel opening is run
Positioning and plan
Market, rate and room strategy agreed with a realistic budget.
Design and approvals
Layout, warrants, licensing and fire strategy prepared and tracked.
Procurement and fit-out
Furniture, fabrics, equipment and systems ordered and delivered to programme.
Systems and distribution
Booking tools tested and listings published with strong content.
Team and rehearsal
Hiring, training and mock guest stays to test every step.
Opening and review
Support through the first weeks and a structured 90-day review.
We test the stay from booking to checkout.
Before opening, we walk through each stage as a guest would, and correct anything that feels wrong.
- Booking and confirmationAccurate availability, clear confirmation emails and easy directions.
- Arrival and check-inA warm welcome, a ready room and a simple key handover.
- The roomComfort, cleanliness, lighting, connectivity and noise.
- Dining and servicesBreakfast timing, dietary options, quiet hours and housekeeping.
- Checkout and afterwardsFast checkout, a review request and a reason to return.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
Do you work with very small properties?
Yes. Guest houses, inns with rooms and small lodges are a core part of our work. The scale of the programme matches the size of the property.
Can you choose and configure the booking systems?
Yes. We recommend systems that fit your size and budget, configure them and connect your online listings before opening.
What about grading and quality schemes?
We explain the options and prepare your property for the standards of any scheme you wish to join.
Can you stay on after opening?
Yes. Many clients retain us for the first three months to review operations, reviews and revenue.
Often combined with this service
Hospitality, built the Highland way.
We guide restaurants, hotels and hospitality businesses from the first idea through setup, refurbishment and everyday upkeep, with the steadiness and care Scotland is known for.
Independent advice for new and established hotels, restaurants and hospitality ventures.
Restaurants, hotels and serviced accommodation planned, fitted out and opened.
Project management and maintenance that keep properties safe, compliant and well presented.
Hospitality expertise from first idea to everyday operation.
MacAli Group Scotland is a service business for the hospitality sector. We help owners and operators decide what to build, build it properly, run it profitably and keep it in excellent condition.
Our work covers the full life of a hospitality property: feasibility and planning, setup and opening, refurbishment, operational improvement and ongoing maintenance. You can use one service or combine several, always with a single point of contact.
Eight services, one steady partner
Use us for a single task or for the whole journey. Each service is shaped around your property, your guests and your budget.
Restaurant Setup
Concept, kitchen, licences, team and systems for a confident opening.
ExploreHotel Setup
Room product, systems, distribution and staffing for hotels, inns and lodges.
ExploreProject Management
One accountable lead for builds, fit-outs and refurbishments.
ExploreHotel and Restaurant Consultancy
Operational reviews and margin improvement for businesses already trading.
ExploreHospitality Sector Consultancy
Feasibility, funding readiness and growth strategy across the visitor economy.
ExploreRefurbishment Consultancy
Surveys, budgets and phasing so you can refurbish and keep trading.
ExploreNew Start Consultancy
Guidance for first-time owners turning an idea into a sound venture.
ExploreMaintenance
Planned upkeep, repairs and compliance for hospitality properties.
ExploreWhere are you on your journey?
Choose the option that sounds most like you and we will show the services that fit.
Brands we have worked with
A selection of the hotels, restaurants, serviced accommodation and service businesses that have trusted us with their brand and their operations.
Quiet confidence, careful detail.
Rooted in Scotland
We understand Scottish seasons, visitors, licensing and building requirements, and we plan around them.
Practical by default
Every recommendation comes with a cost, an owner and a date, so advice turns into action.
Independent
We do not sell properties, equipment or franchises, so you receive advice that serves your interests.
Accountable
A named lead stays with your project until it is finished, working and handed over properly.
The thistle has stood for Scotland for centuries: hardy, sharp-edged and beautiful in a hard landscape.How we like to build businesses
From first conversation to a well-run business
Listen and look
We visit, ask questions and understand what you want to achieve.
Plan and scope
You receive a clear proposal with deliverables, timeline and fees.
Deliver
We carry out the work, or manage those who do, with regular reports.
Hand over and support
Training, documentation and ongoing help wherever you want it.
Property maintenance that keeps hospitality businesses open, safe and well presented.
A structured programme of planned inspections, responsive repairs and compliance records for hotels, restaurants, guest accommodation and venues across Scotland.
Maintenance is a guest-experience issue, not only a property issue.
Guests judge a property by details: a room that is warm, a shower that works, a door that closes quietly, a kitchen that runs through a busy Saturday. When maintenance is reactive, those details fail at the worst moment and reviews reflect it.
MacAli Group builds a maintenance programme around how your property is used, the age and condition of its plant, and the regulations that apply to you. We then deliver it directly or coordinate the specialist trades on your behalf, with one point of contact and one record of what has been done.
Owners and managers who want fewer breakdowns, tidy records and one contact for every fault.
A scheduled programme, a compliance diary, prioritised repairs and a monthly maintenance log.
Survey first, then a plan scoped to your property, with clear response priorities agreed in writing.
What our maintenance service covers
Planned preventative maintenance
A scheduled cycle of inspections and servicing that identifies wear before it becomes a failure.
- Annual and seasonal maintenance calendar
- Inspection of plant, fabric and fittings
- Written condition notes with photographs
- Budget forecast for upcoming replacements
Reactive repairs and call-outs
One route for reporting faults, with every job logged, prioritised and tracked until closed.
- Single reporting number or email address
- Priority levels agreed for each type of fault
- Approved contractors on call
- Job history available for review
Kitchen and catering equipment
Servicing and repair coordination for the equipment your kitchen depends on every service.
- Cookers, fryers, ovens and grills
- Refrigeration, cold rooms and ice machines
- Dishwashers and glass washers
- Extraction, ventilation and hot water
Fabric, decoration and furnishings
Routine care of the surfaces and fittings that shape a guest's first impression.
- Touch-up painting and decoration
- Flooring, joinery, doors and windows
- Bathroom sealant, grout and fittings
- Soft furnishing and bed repairs
Statutory compliance management
A diary of the safety tests and certificates your premises require, with records ready for inspection.
- Fire alarm and emergency lighting tests
- Gas, electrical and water safety checks
- Certificate storage and expiry reminders
- Support during inspections and audits
Grounds, car parks and exteriors
Welcoming, safe external areas in every season, from first impression to final departure.
- Entrances, paths and external lighting
- Signage and external painting
- Gardens, planters and seasonal care
- Gutters, roofs and drainage checks
Choose the level of cover that suits your property
Every programme is scoped after a property survey. These three levels show how we normally structure the work, and each can be adjusted.
Inspect and report
For smaller properties that want expert oversight and a clear record.
- Scheduled inspection visits
- Compliance diary with reminders
- Written condition report
- Repairs quoted as required
Inspect, repair and coordinate
For operators who want faults handled without having to chase them.
- Everything in Essential
- Priority reactive call-outs
- Contractor sourcing and supervision
- Monthly maintenance log and review
A dedicated maintenance team
For larger hotels and groups that need regular on-site cover.
- Everything in Managed
- Dedicated maintenance engineer
- Out-of-hours emergency cover
- Capital planning and budget forecasting
The checks your premises are expected to keep up to date.
Requirements depend on the type of premises and its use. We confirm exactly what applies to your property and keep the evidence in one place. A typical schedule includes:
- Fire safetyFire risk assessment review, alarm and emergency lighting tests, extinguisher servicing and fire door inspections.
- Gas and electricalGas safety certificates, fixed electrical installation inspection and portable appliance testing.
- Water safetyLegionella risk assessment, temperature monitoring and tank and outlet inspection.
- Kitchen systemsExtraction and grease duct cleaning, ventilation checks and pest control arrangements.
- Lifts and specialist equipmentStatutory inspection of lifts, hoists and pressure systems where present.
How we set up your maintenance programme
Property survey
We walk the whole property, record condition and note anything that needs urgent attention.
Programme design
We build the inspection calendar, compliance diary and response priorities around your business.
Mobilisation
Contractors are appointed, records are collated and your reporting route is switched on.
Ongoing delivery
We carry out the programme, report monthly and review it with you each quarter.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
Can you look after a site that already has its own maintenance person?
Yes. We can support your in-house engineer with compliance scheduling, specialist trades and cover for holidays and sickness, or simply audit what is in place.
How quickly do you respond to a fault?
Response times are agreed per site and per priority when the plan is set up. Faults affecting safety, guest rooms or kitchen service are always treated first.
Do you keep our compliance certificates?
Yes. We keep a central record of certificates and test dates, and remind you before anything falls due, so records are ready for any inspection.
Can we start with one property and add others later?
Yes. Plans are scoped per property and can grow into a group arrangement.
Often combined with this service
Privacy Policy
How MacAli Group Scotland collects, uses and protects personal information.
Last updated: 7 October 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is handled when you use the MacAli Group Scotland website or contact us. We are committed to protecting your privacy and to complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
1. Who we are
MacAli Group Scotland is the trading name of ALI & SONS HOLDING LIMITED, a company registered in Scotland with company number SC363948 (“we”, “us”). We operate this website and are the data controller for personal information collected through it.
- Company: ALI & SONS HOLDING LIMITED, registered in Scotland, company number SC363948.
- Registered office:
- Email:
- Telephone:
- You can also contact us through the enquiry form on our website.
Information Commissioner’s Office registration number:
2. Information we collect
When you send an enquiry through our form we collect the details you choose to give us: your name, email address, business or property name, the service you are interested in, the type of venue, when you would like to start, and the content of your message. If you contact us by email or telephone we keep a record of that correspondence.
We do not ask for payment card details or for special category data through this website, and we ask that you do not include them in your message. Like most websites, our hosting provider may automatically record technical information such as IP address, browser type and the pages requested, in server logs used for security and troubleshooting.
3. How and why we use your information
- To respond to your enquiry and take steps before entering a contract. Lawful basis: it is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract, or our legitimate interests in responding to business enquiries.
- To provide our services and manage our relationship with you. Lawful basis: performance of a contract.
- To keep our website secure and working properly. Lawful basis: our legitimate interests in protecting our systems and users.
- To meet legal and accounting obligations. Lawful basis: legal obligation.
- To contact you about our services in future. We will only send marketing messages where you have agreed to receive them or where the law otherwise allows, and you can opt out at any time.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for automated decision-making or profiling.
4. Who we share information with
We share personal information only where necessary with organisations that help us run the website and our business, for example website hosting providers, form and email service providers, IT support, professional advisers such as accountants and lawyers, and public authorities where we are legally required to. These providers act on our instructions or have their own data protection duties. We may also share information with contractors or specialist advisers who help us deliver services to you, and only to the extent needed for that purpose.
5. International transfers
Some of our service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where that happens we take steps to ensure your information is protected, for example by using providers that are covered by UK adequacy regulations or by using approved contractual safeguards.
6. How long we keep information
We keep enquiry information for as long as is needed to deal with your request and for a reasonable period afterwards, normally no longer than three years from our last contact unless we are working together. Information relating to client engagements is kept for as long as required for contractual, tax and accounting purposes, which is usually six years. We then delete or anonymise it.
7. Your rights
Under data protection law you have the right to be informed, to access your personal information, to have inaccurate information corrected, to have information erased in certain circumstances, to restrict or object to processing, to data portability, and to withdraw consent where we rely on it. To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details above. We will respond within one month.
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, please tell us first so we can put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
8. Cookies and third-party content
Our use of cookies and similar technologies is explained in our Cookie Policy. Our website loads fonts from Google Fonts, which means your browser makes a request to Google’s servers, including your IP address, when a page is viewed.
9. Security
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information, including encrypted (HTTPS) connections to the website. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Children
Our services are directed at businesses and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on this page, with the date it was last updated shown at the top.
Independent project management for hospitality builds, fit-outs and refurbishments.
One accountable lead who keeps the programme, budget and trades moving together, and keeps you informed from the first drawing to the final snag.
Hospitality projects have fixed opening dates.
Bookings are taken, staff are hired and weddings are in the diary. A late finish costs far more than the contractor's delay. Our job is to protect the opening date, the budget and the quality of finish.
We act as your client-side project manager: independent of contractors, answerable to you, and present on site as often as the project requires.
Owners and operators who do not have the time or in-house expertise to manage a project directly.
A live programme, a budget tracker, regular reports, controlled contractors and a complete handover.
Weekly site meetings, written reports and clear decisions logged with owners and dates.
Six disciplines, one point of contact
Scope and programme
A realistic programme with milestones, dependencies and your opening date built in.
- Scope definition and responsibilities
- Master programme and milestones
- Critical path and look-ahead
- Early warning of slippage
Budget and cost control
Cost plans, change control and forecasts so there are no financial surprises.
- Approved budget and cost plan
- Variation and change control
- Monthly cost forecasts
- Payment certification support
Contractor coordination
Appointing, briefing and supervising the team that delivers the project.
- Appointment and contract advice
- Site meetings and inspections
- Quality and standards checks
- Resolving clashes and disputes
Procurement and supply
Long-lead items identified and ordered in time, from furniture to kitchen equipment.
- Procurement schedule
- Supplier comparison and ordering
- Delivery and storage planning
- Installation coordination
Risk and compliance
Managing the risks that threaten the programme and the safety of the project.
- Risk and issues register
- Health and safety oversight
- Approvals and warrant tracking
- Fire and safety sign-off
Reporting and handover
Clear information throughout, and a complete handover when you take possession.
- Weekly progress reports
- Snagging lists and tracking
- Certificates, manuals and warranties
- Final account and close-out review
How we run a project
Initiate
Agree objectives, scope, budget and team.
Plan
Build the programme, procurement strategy and risk register.
Deliver
Weekly site meetings, active problem solving and cost control.
Commission
Testing, staff training and snagging.
Hand over
Documentation, warranties and a post-project review.
What you receive from us.
You will always know where the project stands and what decisions are needed from you.
- Weekly progress reportProgress, issues, decisions needed and next steps.
- Live programmeA programme that is updated as the project changes.
- Budget trackerCommitted and forecast costs against the approved budget.
- Risk and decision logEvery risk and decision, with an owner and date.
- Handover packCertificates, manuals, warranties and a final account.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
How is this different from the builder's site manager?
We work for you, not the contractor. We check the work, the programme and the cost on your behalf.
How often are you on site?
As often as the project needs. A typical pattern is a weekly site meeting with extra visits at key stages.
Can you manage a project that has already started?
Yes. We begin with a quick review of programme, budget and contracts, then take over coordination.
What does it cost?
Fees are scoped to the project. We agree them in writing after an initial conversation.
Often combined with this service
Restaurant setup, from concept to a confident opening night.
We plan and deliver the kitchen, dining room, approvals, team and systems a restaurant needs to open well and trade profitably from the first week.
A restaurant is a system. We set up the whole system.
Most problems that appear after opening were created in the first few weeks of planning: a kitchen that cannot deliver the menu at pace, a layout that wastes covers, a licence applied for too late, a team trained for one service rather than a hundred.
We work with you to make those decisions deliberately and in the right order, so the opening date is realistic, the budget is controlled and the restaurant is ready to perform when the doors open.
First-time and experienced operators opening a new restaurant, converting a premises or adding food to an existing business.
A costed concept, a kitchen and dining design, licensing and approvals support, a trained team and tested systems.
A single programme with one lead, weekly progress reports and agreed decision points.
Everything a restaurant opening needs
Concept and positioning
The foundation for every later decision: who you serve, what you serve and why guests will choose you.
- Target guest and local market review
- Menu style, price point and average spend
- Brand voice and customer promise
- Opening hours and trading model
Layout and kitchen design
Kitchen and dining room planned together, so service flows smoothly at full capacity.
- Cover count and seating plan
- Kitchen flow, prep, storage and wash-up
- Service route and bar positioning
- Plans suitable for approvals and quotations
Equipment specification and procurement
The right equipment for your menu, sourced new or reconditioned and installed correctly.
- Equipment schedule matched to the menu
- Supplier comparison and negotiation
- Delivery, installation and commissioning
- Warranty and servicing arrangements
Licensing, registration and approvals
The consents you need, prepared and submitted in the right order and to the right timetable.
- Premises licence application support
- Food business registration
- Building warrant and fire safety input
- Signage, music and other permissions
Front of house fit-out
The guest-facing environment, designed for comfort, atmosphere and efficient service.
- Furniture, lighting and acoustics
- Tableware, glassware and uniforms
- Menu design and printed materials
- Final dressing and snagging
Menu engineering and suppliers
Menus that are attractive to guests and profitable to produce, supported by reliable supply.
- Recipe costing and gross margin targets
- Supplier accounts and delivery schedules
- Local and Scottish sourcing options
- Stock levels and ordering routines
Systems and technology
The tools that run the business day to day, selected to suit your size and configured before opening.
- Point of sale and payment set-up
- Table booking and online ordering
- Stock, rota and reporting tools
- Staff training on every system
Recruitment, training and service standards
A team that is hired, trained and rehearsed before the first paying guest arrives.
- Role descriptions and rota planning
- Recruitment support and induction
- Allergen, hygiene and service training
- Practice services and soft launch
Six stages to opening day
Concept brief
Agree the offer, the guest, the numbers and the opening target.
Site and layout
Survey the premises and produce layout and kitchen designs.
Licences and approvals
Prepare applications and track every consent against the programme.
Fit-out and equipment
Coordinate trades, deliveries and installation to a fixed programme.
Team and systems
Recruit, train and test the people and technology.
Soft launch and opening
Run practice services, refine, then open with support on site.
Our pre-opening checklist
Before we describe a restaurant as ready to open, each of these has been checked, tested and signed off.
- Premises licenceGranted and displayed, with conditions understood by every manager.
- Food safetyRegistration complete, food safety procedures written and staff briefed.
- Allergen managementAllergen information prepared for every dish and staff trained to use it.
- Fire and building sign-offWarrant requirements met, fire risk assessment completed and exits tested.
- Trial servicesAt least two full practice services run end to end before opening day.
Before you get in touch
Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.
How long does it take to open a restaurant?
It depends on the premises. A simple conversion can be quicker than a new build, and licences or building approvals often set the pace. We give you a realistic programme once we have seen the site.
Do you help if I already have a premises?
Yes. Many clients come to us with a lease signed. We review the layout, services and approvals needed before you commit to a fit-out.
Can you manage the whole fit-out?
Yes, either through our project management service or alongside your own contractors. We recommend one accountable lead so decisions are not lost.
Will you help recruit the team?
We help define the roles, recruit and train, so the team is prepared well before the soft launch.
Often combined with this service
Terms and Conditions
The terms that apply to your use of the MacAli Group Scotland website.
Last updated: 7 October 2026
These Terms and Conditions apply to your use of the MacAli Group Scotland website. By using the website you agree to them. If you do not agree, please do not use the website.
1. About us
MacAli Group Scotland is the trading name of ALI & SONS HOLDING LIMITED, a company registered in Scotland with company number SC363948. We operate this website and provide hospitality consultancy, setup, refurbishment, project management and maintenance services.
- Company: ALI & SONS HOLDING LIMITED, registered in Scotland, company number SC363948.
- Registered office:
- Email:
- Telephone:
- You can also contact us through the enquiry form on our website.
2. Use of the website
You may use this website for lawful purposes only. You must not misuse it, attempt to gain unauthorised access to it or its systems, introduce malware, copy or scrape it in bulk, or use it in a way that could damage or impair it or affect other users. We may suspend or restrict access at any time, for example for maintenance.
3. Information on this website
The content of this website is provided for general information about our services. It is not professional, legal, financial or regulatory advice, and you should not rely on it as such. Requirements for licensing, building, fire safety and other matters vary by premises and change over time, and you should take advice specific to your circumstances. We take reasonable care to keep the information accurate and up to date but do not guarantee that it is complete or error-free.
4. Our services
Information on this website about our services is not an offer capable of acceptance. Any engagement with us is subject to a written proposal and agreement setting out the scope, fees and terms of the specific work, which will take priority over these Terms in respect of those services.
5. Intellectual property
The design, text, graphics, software and other material on this website, including the MacAli Group Scotland name and thistle logo, belong to us or our licensors and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. You may view and print pages for your own business use, but you may not otherwise reproduce, distribute or modify them without our written permission.
Names, logos and trade marks of other businesses shown in our portfolio belong to their respective owners. They are shown to identify work we have undertaken and do not imply endorsement beyond that.
6. Links to other websites
This website may link to third-party websites, including the website of our developer. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their content or privacy practices.
7. Enquiries and communications
Information you send us through the enquiry form is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Please do not send confidential commercial information or personal data of other people until we have agreed appropriate terms with you.
8. Our liability
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for anything else that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded. Subject to that, we are not liable for loss arising from your use of, or inability to use, this website, or from reliance on its content, and we are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss, or for loss of profit, revenue, business or goodwill. The website is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. We do not guarantee that it will be uninterrupted or free from errors or viruses.
9. Complaints
If you have a complaint about our website or services, please contact us using the details above, setting out what has gone wrong, and we will respond promptly and try to resolve it fairly.
10. Changes
We may change these Terms from time to time. The version published on this page when you use the website is the one that applies.
11. Governing law
These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the website are governed by the law of Scotland, and the courts of Scotland have exclusive jurisdiction, except where the law of your country of residence gives you rights that cannot be excluded.