Lauriston hotel for the visually impaired sold to Weston College
Lauriston hotel in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, one of three Vision Hotels seeking new management, has been sold to a college of further education off a guide price of £1.2m.
The 37-bedroom, three-AA-star property was one of three non-profit hotels run by Action for Blind People deemed not financially viable last year, alongside the 47-bedroom Cliffden hotel in Teignmouth, Devon and the 35-bedroom Windermere Manor hotel in Windermere, Cumbria.
Weston College has committed to continue to run the hotel with facilities for the visually impaired, and to retain current staff. A new company, Inspirational Events and Investments, set up by Weston College, will take over the operation of the hotel from Vision Hotels, which was manged by Action for Blind People
Paul Morrison, head of operations at Action for Blind People, said: "The hotel will continue to operate as it does now; it is proposed that all staff will be transferred to the Weston College Group and guests will continue to be able to enjoy and book holidays there.
"The hotel will continue to be able to provide a specialist service for guests with sight loss. We believe this sale represents the best outcome for staff and for guests of the Lauriston, now and in the future."
Dr Paul Phillips, principal and chief executive of the Weston College Group, added: "Our keen interest in supporting the local community, including people with learning difficulties and disabilities, led us to make a bid for these premises. Our intention is to further the work with blind and partially sighted people."
Teignmouth Council looking into buying hotel for the blind >>
Hotels for the blind threatened with closure >>
Vision Hotels launches as a not-for-profit service for the blind >>
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