Marco Pierre White partners with RBS to save ailing inns

Marco Pierre White has been signed up by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) as it attempts a reversal of fortunes for seven coaching inns.

The financial difficulties of the small hotels led them to fall into the global restructuring group of the bank, reported the http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Finance/article1298773.ece" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Sunday Times.

RBS created an informal chain of the seven businesses, with Wheelers of St James's, White's restaurant operation, at the helm.

The Carnarvon Arms in Highclere, Berkshire, previously the coach house of the castle where ITV's Downton Abbey is filmed, is among the businesses included in the deal. They are all period properties in affluent areas of southeast England.

RBS said its aim was to be "innovative with our assets" and that the hotels had been "given a new lease of life" through the arrangement with White.