Somerset country house hotel Charlton House has started the search for a new owner after its holding company KIlver Court Trading was placed in administration.
Administrators BDO Stoy Hayward were appointed to take over the running of the hotel in Shepton Mallet on June 11 after it fell victim to the ‘significant challenges` facing the hospitality industry.
The 25-bedroom hotel and spa was bought by Mulberry Design Company founders Roger and Monty Saul in 1996 and is home to Sharpham Park Restaurant, which appointed Steve Horrell its head chef in December last year. The hotel employs 61 people in total.
Charlton House’s sister company Kilver Court – which includes gardens, a cafe, a food shop and wellness centre – has no financial connection with Kilver Court Trading and is not affected by the move.
Graham Randall, business restructuring partner at BDO Stoy Hayward said: “The economic turmoil has led to significant challenges for the leisure and hospitality industry and, as a result, The Charlton House Hotel has also suffered.
“This is a renowned, well established hotel and so we are hopeful of securing a going concern sale of the business.”
Luxury hotel group Von Essen was rumoured on chef’s forum The Staff Canteen to be interested in the hotel, but the company refused to comment on whether it would be buying it or not.