Whitworth Hall Hotel rescued from administration by engineering firm owner

Administrators Begbies Traynor took over the running of the 29-bedroom Best Western hotel on 18 October after its directors became unable to make the business financially viable following the death of its managing director earlier this year.

The country-park set hotel, which includes two restaurants and conference and banqueting facilities and is a popular venue for weddings, was the ancestral home of the Shafto family. It was placed on the market for £1.25m with Colliers International in October by the administrators who have run the business as a going concern for the last two months. 

New owner Adrian Parnaby, also owner and manager of engineering firm Derek Parnaby Cyclones International and whose father Derek owned Whitworth Hall as a private dwelling until 1997, said he was 'proud to take over the ownership' of the historic property and is planning to invest in it for future success. 

"I look forward to working closely with existing management to develop the hotel and grounds in the future. We are pleased to be able to maintain the existing staff, and fully intend to honour all existing bookings," he said. 

Best offer ​

Joint administrator, Andrew Haslam of Begbies Traynor, said agents had received more than 30 enquiries from potential purchasers with Derek Parnaby Cyclones International the best choice due to being able to offer the best return for creditors and offer the hotel, staff and customers 'a brighter future'. 

"This is great news for customers, staff and creditors of the business," he said. "With its beautiful location and excellent reputation, we were confident from the start that this popular venue would be snapped up very quickly. Our aim was to ensure there was as little disruption as possible during the marketing period in order to preserve the value of the business."