Former Welsh rugby league star's ill health forces Llanwenarth Hotel sale

The 17-bedroom hotel and restaurant near Abergavenny, which Wallace has run with wife Anita for the last 10 years, has been on the market for over a year, but so far no buyer has been secured. 

Wallace, who played rugby for Bristol in the 1960s and the early 1970s before going on to play for Wales, told BigHospitality he hoped dropping the price to £575k would speed up its sale as problems with his hip and spine meant he was no longer able to run it himself. 

"I have great difficulty with my mobility and a couple of other health issues, which means I am not in the ideal situation to be running a hotel," he said. "It's not big enough to be managed, so it needs a new hands-on owner who could run it.

"I love this business. I'm a people person and dealing with them face-to-face is what I enjoy, but I can't work here much longer, so it's time for someone else to take it over." 

Foodie credentials​

Wallace, who also part-owns the Junction 28 restaurant in Newport,said being near Wales' food capital of Abergavenny meant the hotel had also gained a reputation as a foodie destination with the Riverside Restaurant helping to attract guests in the past. 

The 60-cover restaurant, which has been run in partnership with chef Jon West - Wallace's partner at Junction 28 - opens out onto a terrace with an extra 30 covers and has focused on serving local produce. 

"The restaurant has been integral to the hotel and therefore the hotel would appeal to someone who was food-based. It's an ideal location for a chef to run it. The bedrooms are all well-appointed and recently refurbished so no major work needs to be done there," said Wallace. 

Peter Brunt, hotels director at Colliers International the agents in charge of selling the hotel, said there was a 'potential bargain' to be had for a hotel in a 'fabulous' location. 

“[Richard] is really struggling to walk now and has no choice but to find a buyer quickly – it is almost an auction type situation and consequently there is a potential bargain to be had. They have already reduced the asking price to £575,000 freehold demonstrating their determination to sell.

“The last few months have seen a dip in trade as Richard has struggled with his health but the underlying business is very strong and the hotel comfortably has potential to generate well over £100k profit per annum.”