Signature Living denies food hygiene charges in court

Signature Living has denied food safety and hygiene offences at its 30 James Street property in court.

The hotel company has been charged with seven counts of contravening or failing to comply with food safety and hygiene regulations, to which it pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

A trial is due to take place on 2 December and is expected to last one week. Signature Living has been contacted for comment.

A food hygiene inspection by Liverpool City Council resulted in the closure of the Liverpool hotel's Carpathia restaurant for one week last year.

Signature Living announced plans to sell the property two weeks ago with a price tag of £17m, having bought out its overseas investors in the hotel from an initial five-year investment plan for £7.9m. Together with the sale of its Shankly hotel in the city, it hopes the sales will support its plans for a further 10 hotels.

The 64-bedroom, Titanic-themed 30 James Street hotel was once the office of White Star Line, which co-ordinated the launch of the ill-fated Titanic. Carpathia was the name of the ship that helped rescue survivors of the Titanic.

Signature Living expects to open six hotels by the end of the year including Loyola Hall (St Helens), the Dixie Dean hotel (Liverpool), the Shankly hotel (Preston), Cavern Walks hotel (Liverpool), the George Best (Belfast) and the Wareing hotel (Belfast).

The company also recently announced its plans to convert a former presidential yacht into a £5m, 632-berth floating beach club cruise ship to be moored in Ibiza.

Its hotel portfolio already includes the Arthouse and Signature hotels in Liverpool and the Exchange hotel in Cardiff.

Signature Living to sell 30 James Street and the Shankly hotel for £57m >>