Hotel tries to rebuild reputation The hotel at the centre of an e.coli probe is battling to restore its reputation.

The hotel at the centre of an e.coli probe is battling to restoreits reputation.

Nine cases of the potentially-deadly bug have been linked to theAtholl Hotel - one of Aberdeen's best known.

Manager partner Gordon Sinclair, a past chairman of the AberdeenCity and Shire Hotel Association, said he had received many calls andletters of support.

He admitted restaurant bookings were down at the four-star hotelon King's Gate but said regular customers had offered encouragementto staff.

He said: "We're strong and tough and resilient and doing ourutmost to get our heads down and get on with it.

"We're hoping our past reputation should stand us in good stead.

"We want to be positive and get back to where we were."

The e.coli cases have involved people who ate at the hotel..

A possible source has yet to be identified but Mr Sinclair saidlettuce leaves appeared to be the common factor.

Most cases involved women over 65, three of whom ended up inhospital.

E.coli spreads in a variety of ways. Among these is bacteria beingfound on vegetables.

Tests on hotel food and equipment were negative and handlingpractices received the all-clear.

The 34-bedroom Atholl, which opened in 1961, has been highlyrated by the AA and VisitScotland, and recently earned an Investorsin People award.

Privately owned, it is in the city's West End.

dewen@ajl.co.uk