St John Chinatown hotel and restaurant sold, administrators confirm
Accountancy firm RSM Tenon has confirmed the business and assets of St John Chinatown Limited, the company which operates the hotel, restaurant and bar off Leicester Square, have been sold.
Singapore-based businessman Loh Lik Peng, the founder and managing director of Unlisted Collection, confirmed the acquisition of the 15-bedroom hotel has now taken place.
He is believed to be committed to continuing the work started by chef Ferguson Henderson and business partner Trevor Gulliver who originally launched the venue as part of the legendary St John group.
On the Town Hall Hotel website, Unlisted Collection has confirmed the space is to be relaunched in spring 2013 with details and exact arrangements still to be finalised between both parties on how the restaurant and hotel will operate in the future - the business continues to trade as normal in the meantime.
'Henderson's vision'
St John Chinatown Limited entered administration in October, less than a year after the hotel was opened after a lengthy process to get the building ready for the launch.
A spokesman for accountancy firm RSM Tenon yesterday confirmed the business had been sold.
"Tim Dolder and Trevor Binyon were appointed Joint Administrators of St. John Chinatown Limited on 19 October 2012. The business continued to trade whilst they looked for a buyer. On 20 December 2012 Tim Dolder and Trevor Binyon sold the business and assets of St. John Chinatown Limited," he said.
Confirming the acquisition, Loh Lik Peng said: “Unlisted Collection is a list of properties that are out of the norm. The hotels are set within sensitively restored heritage listed buildings that are re-adapted into radical, cutting edge lifestyle concepts that culminate into an unforgettable experience for our guests.
"Henderson’s vision mirrored ours; and the new addition to the collection is welcomed.”
Unlisted Collection currently operates six boutique hotels and six restaurants located in Singapore, Shanghai and London including 196 Bishopsgate.
The Town Hall Hotel and Viajante in Bethnal Green opened in spring 2010 - Nuno Mendes' restaurant has already received recognition from the prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants.
