Abbot Grange's Dovecliff Hall hotel sold out of administration

The Dovecliff Hall hotel in Stretton, Staffordshire, has been sold to local businessman Anton Jenkins out of administration.

The 15-bedroom hotel, as well as the Bridge hotel in Thrapston, Northamptonshire, was part of Abbot Grange, an East Midlands-based hotel group that went into administration earlier this year owing creditors more than £600,000.

Jenkins is one of the directors of Burton-based pharmaceuticals firm Clinigen Group. It is believed the property is his first hotel acquisition. The Bridge hotel was sold back in March to Simrita, a hotel company which is overseen by Manjit Chagger that also does not appear to own any further hotels.

The Grade II-listed former country house was built in 1790 and originally opened as a hotel in 1928, reverting to private ownership from 1936 to1987, before once again trading as a hotel.

Matt Ingram and Sarah Bell, managing directors at Duff & Phelps, were appointed joint administrators of the company.

The sale was facilitated by real estate adviser GVA.

Jenkins said: "As a regular guest of the hotel over a number of years, I was excited by the opportunity to acquire the property and business when I became aware of its availability. We will be honouring all bookings already made and plan to invest in the hotel to sympathetically upgrade this very attractive period property."

Ingram, managing director in the Birmingham office of Duff & Phelps, said: "We are pleased to announce the swift and smooth disposal of the Dovecliff Hall hotel. Over the course of the appointment we maintained all bookings and successfully celebrated a number of weddings and other special occasions. The sale of Dovecliff Hall hotel marks the end of the administration process and secures jobs for all 18 employees."

James Williamson, director in the retail, hotels and leisure team at GVA, added: "We were pleasantly surprised by the level of interest shown in the hotel by prospective purchasers. The formal marketing commenced at the beginning of March 2017, so to have completed the transaction in such a short time is exceptionally pleasing."

East Midlands hotel group in administration owes £600,000 >>

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