Shropshire Star

Ludlow's Feathers hotel to reopen after £500,000 refurbishment

Ludlow's historic Feathers hotel will reopen next year after a major refurbishment, with the creation of 30 jobs.

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The Feathers Hotel

The Feathers has been bought by Birmingham-based Crest Hotels, the company today confirmed.

The privately-owned group has pledged to invest more than £500,000 in refurbishing the 17th century 40-bedroom hotel ahead of its relaunch.

Jason Hiley, group operations director at Crest Hotels said: “This is an exciting time for the group and we are delighted to add such a unique and characterful property to our portfolio.

"The Feathers Hotel is packed with history and heritage which we are keen to preserve in the reopening of the hotel and we look forward to the next few months where we can sensitively refurbish the hotel before the planned relaunch in spring.

“The hotel will continue to operate as an independent hotel with the support and wealth of experience from the Crest Hotels Management team."

Mr Hiley said as well as creating 30 jobs in the town, the hotel group would "invest time in supporting the area" as a tourist destination.

The company plans to refurbish all 40 rooms as well as the reception area, four function rooms, restaurant and bar. A new tea room will be added with the aim of achieving two AA Rosettes within six months of opening.

A new plumbing system will also be installed, after a guest's death from Legionnaires' disease was linked to the hotel plumbing and ultimately led to its decline and closure.

Elaine Brown, 69, died on August 26 last year after suffering a stroke as a result of contracting the disease, which was linked to bacteria in the plumbing. Another guest, who contracted the disease and was diagnosed in April 2017, has recovered.

Instructing

Business advisory firm FRP Advisory LLP was appointed administrator of the Feathers Hotel when it shut down in August this year, instructing Lambert Smith Hampton and Christie & Co to market the hotel for sale.

The sale price has not been revealed, but the hotel was put on the market for £2.6 million in January by the previous owners before it went into administration.

Raj Mittal, partner at FRP Advisory, said: “We’re delighted to have concluded the successful sale of the Feathers Hotel in Ludlow. The iconic building is central to travel and tourism in the area and we are pleased that Crest Hotels’ planned investment will secure future employment in the region.”

Controlled by the Singh family, Crest runs the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport along with Holiday Inn Express Liverpool/Knowsley and two hotels in Bristol.

Mr Hiley added: “We have a lot to do but we are confident that we will be ready to open our doors in the spring, ahead of what we hope will be a busy period of summer trading for the hotel and for Ludlow.

"We look forward to showing local residents what we have created and we hope the hotel becomes a central hub for bringing the community together for events and functions, as well as welcoming guests from further afield to show off the facilities and the picturesque market town we are lucky to be based in.”