Administrators appointed to Christian Guild Hotels

Administrators have been appointed to Methodist Guild Holidays, trading as Christian Guild, after the company suffered sustained cashflow difficulties since the start of the pandemic.

Methodist Guild Holidays has three sites across the UK. Treloyhan Manor – a 19th-century manor house hotel in St Ives – is operational, but temporarily closed due to the pandemic. All 21 staff remain furloughed. Sidholme hotel (pictured) near Exeter and Willersley Castle in Matlock, a Grade II-listed building in Derbyshire, were permanently closed during the first national lockdown.

The group confirmed last summer that it had decided to close and sell two of its three hotels.

Administrators have also been appointed to Hothorpe Hall, a wholly owned subsidiary of Methodist Guild Hotels and an events business that operates and owns the venue near Theddingworth, Leicestershire. The site has been temporarily closed in line with government restrictions and all 30 staff remain furloughed.

Yasmin Bhikha and John Lowe from business advisory firm FRP were appointed as joint administrators to both companies on 14 December and have launched a marketing process to sell all four sites.

A small number of staff from both companies are expected to be taken off the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to assist the administrators with their duties. No redundancies were made on appointment.

Bhikha, director at FRP, said: “Like much of the rest of the UK hospitality and leisure sector, Methodist Guild Holidays and Hothorpe Hall have seen their ability to operate severely restricted by the pandemic, which has led to financial difficulties and need for restructuring. The administration provides some protection as we explore options to secure a future for the hotel group. We have launched a marketing process to find investors and are having conversations with interested parties.”