Squire Hotels' Best Western Plus Samlesbury hotel falls into administration

Squire Hotels' Best Western Plus Samlesbury hotel in Preston has fallen into administration after being issued a winding-up petition by HMRC last month.

Matthew Ingram and Steven Muncaster of Duff & Phelps have been appointed joint administrators of the 86-bedroom hotel.

The joint administrators are trading the hotel as a going concern and it remains open for business, with current bookings being honoured while Duff & Phelps seeks a buyer.

A spokesperson from Best Western GB head office said: "We can confirm that the Best Western Plus Samlesbury hotel, part of Squire Hotels Group is currently in administration, but continues to trade as usual."

Squire Hotels was formed in 2012. The group also operates the 64-bedroom Etrop Grange hotel near Manchester Airport and the 84-bedroom Hydro hotel in Windermere in the Lake District. The other hotels are not affected.

The company's financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2016 turnover of £1.88m, and profit of £284,191.

Ingram said: "Consumer confidence is the driving force of the sector, and as such, its health is dependent on economic certainty. With Brexit on the horizon and inflation on the rise uncertainty is building; meaning consumers are increasingly tightening their belts. This coupled with the introduction of the National Living Wage in 2016, which hugely impacted the leisure industry as a whole, has meant that those in the sector are facing a bumpy road ahead."

An earlier version of this article stated that Squire Hotel Group was founded by Chris Eddlestone. He has since contacted The Caterer and told us this is not the case. We are happy to put this on the record.

The Samlesbury Hotel joins Best Western Plus >>

Windermere Hydro sold to Squire Hotels for £3.75m >>

Etrop Grange sold to Squire Hotels >>

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