Investment firm buys troubled Shropshire hotel

The Park House Hotel in Shifnal ran into trouble when its owner, Devon-based Heritage Properties and Hotels, entered administration a month ago.

Now the hotel, which is based in two 17th century properties and employs 74 staff, has been sold, with all events booked at the hotel due to take place, and guests' deposits secured as part of the sale negotiations by administrators BDO.

The new owner, an investment company, has not been identified, but the hotel has not been bought by Assured Hotels, which was appointed to run the property while it was in administration.

Danny Dartnaill, BDO's business restructuring partner, said: "I'm delighted that we have been able to find buyers for The Park House Hotel, saving 74 jobs and preserving this business for the long term.

"The purchaser has agreed to honour all venue and event bookings, including weddings, to ensure that there is minimal disruption to clients.

"We will be getting in touch with anyone who has an event booked to keep them updated about this good news and to confirm that their events can take place. If anyone has any queries about their booking, then they should contact the Administration team directly."

The news will come as welcome relief to the many couples who contacted the Shropshire Star after news of the administration emerged with concerns over the fate of their own wedding celebrations.

The Park House was one of three hotels operated by Heritage Properties & Hotels.

Having previously found buyers for both Newbury Manor Hotel and Churston Court Hotel the joint administrators secured the sale of the company as a going concern.

In October, another well-known hotel and wedding venue in the region was plunged into crisis, after the parent company of the Mill At Alveley was plunged into administration.

That hotel closed suddenly, leaving staff locked out and couples facing losing deposits for pre-booked weddings.