The Royal Clifton Hotel and Spa, in Southport, has been bought by D’Urberville Hotels from owner Tim Timmerman for an undisclosed fee. Timmerman and his family have owned and operated the hotel for the last 30 years.
The hotel will be run by Front Foot Hospitality, the UK-based hotel management company owned by D’Urberville Hotels chairman Paul Clark and partner Steve Grant.
The duo aim to restore the Victorian hotel to glory, while transforming it into a ‘staycation’ destination for families and golfers.
Investment will involve upgrading the hotel’s bedrooms and public areas, in an attempt to turn the venue into one of the leading hotels in the north-west.
The funding package for the acquisition was put together with the assistance of Coutts Bank and a consortium of UK investors, including David Murray and Premier League footballer, Ryan Taylor, who currently plays Newcastle United and whose family is from the area.
Famous faces
Situated on Southport’s main coastal promenade, the hotel has hosted a number of famous faces over the years, including Jack Nicklaus, Bing Crosby, Dame Shirley Bassey and Marlene Dietrich.
Current manager Andrea Burton will continue to oversee the daily-running of the hotel, and her focus will be on developing a strong team of hospitality professionals.
As well as luxury rooms and spa facilities, the hotel will host a new signature restaurant, backed by a world-famous sportsman and a Champagne, gin and oyster bar.
The hotel benefits from its proximity to a number of world-class golf courses including Royal Birkdale, the venue for the 2017 British Open.
Clark said: “We are over the moon to have been given the opportunity acquire such an iconic seaside hotel. The staff at the hotel have been fantastic during the handover and we are all looking forward to working together on the next stage of Royal Clifton’s development.
He added: “We are passionate about restoring this characterful building back to its original Victorian splendour. It has pride of place on Southport’s promenade, in a town that we believe is one of the hidden gems of Victorian seaside resorts.”