Hotel in Devon that closed for refurbishment falls into administration

The Quayside Hotel in Brixham shut its doors nearly four years ago and was expected to reopen last year

A South Devon hotel that closed for refurbishment nearly four years ago has fallen into administration. Brixham’s Quayside Hotel announced it was shutting at the end of 2022 to carry out a major revamp, with plans to upgrade the dining area, bedrooms and other guest facilities.

The hotel, on King Street, was due to reopen last year, according to a post on its Facebook page, which said it was beginning a “new chapter”.

But a new notice on the Gazette – the official public record – posted on Monday (June 8) said the company behind the hotel (TheQuayside Limited) had appointed Ivybridge-based Richard J Smith & Co as administrators. The hotel’s website is also no longer working.

A company is put into administration when it falls into serious financial difficulty and control of the business is passed to a licensed insolvency practitioner who aims to rescue the organisation or achieve the best outcome for creditors.

According to the Gazette, Jonathan David Trembath and Samuel Adam Bailey of Richard J Smith & Co are the Quayside Hotel’s joint administrators.

Last year, Brian Gill, director of TheQuayside Limited, lodged a planning application for the hotel, which was approved on February 18, to carry out internal alterations to the building, including to partitions, wall and ceiling coverings.

Plans to remove and replace the stairs, install a fire-protected stairwell and build a lift shaft at the rear of the property were also granted, along with proposals to alter signs, windows and redecorate the exterior.

A retrospective application to removed upper floor rear conservatories was also given the green light.

The approved planning application came just three months after the hotel posted a statement on Facebook which said: “It’s been a while, but we’ve got some exciting news… A new chapter is beginning for the Quayside Hotel! The refurbishment project is well underway, and we are working hard on renovating from top to bottom.

“Stay tuned for sneak peeks, updates and an official reopening date as we get closer and closer to welcoming you all back to the Quayside. We can’t wait to see you again at the all-new Quayside Hotel in 2025!”

However, no further updates were issued. Business Live has contacted the administrators and the hotel for comment but has not received a response.

Business Live also asked Torbay Town Council if it was aware of the administration but has not received a reply.

People are being advised to contact Tom Simmons of Richard J Smith & Co at tom.simmons@richardjsmith.com for more information.