Plough and Harrow owner takes full control

One of the three owners of the Plough and Harrow hotel in Birmingham has taken full control of the property, following a £750,000 deal.

Robert Smith has taken on the running of the 44-bedroom hotel through his company Complete Hotel Services, in the wake of the retirement of his two business partners. The trio ran the hotel, which is a member of the 16-strong Classic Lodges consortium, for almost five years.

The deal comes after a period of growth and investment in the hotel, originally built in 1704 as a wayside inn. Smith has so far overseen the refurbishment of a number of bedrooms and bathrooms as well as the six meeting and function rooms, lounge, bar and restaurant.

Funding for the purchase was provided by Barclays and, as part of the loan arrangement, the business opted for a cash-back facility of £15,000 which will go towards further refurbishment. This will include converting some of the existing bedrooms into executive rooms and a new suite.

"We have plans to refurbish those areas of the hotel that have not yet been improved over the next two years and in the meantime continue to develop the food and beverage trade with regular events and offers to attract local customers back into this historic hotel."

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