Torquay hoteliers move to Somerset
Torquay hoteliers Michael Collen and Christian Hutchins have moved to Somerset to run the Old Manor House hotel in the village of Keynsham, half-way between Bath and Bristol.
The two business partners have run the Mount Edgcombe hotel in Torquay for the past three years.
Their new venture is a Grade II-listed building that was built in 1609 as the home of the abbot of the village's ancient abbey (now St John's church).
Period features include low, heavily-beamed ceilings and large inglenook fireplaces.
The three-star property has nine bedrooms and a 30-seat a la carte restaurant which the new owners hope to expand into a 50-seat restaurant/function room.
Along with a complete refurbishment, Collen and Hutchins intend to expand the food offer to attract back local trade.
Their plans include opening the restaurant to non-residents for seven days a week (not just weekends) and opening the garden and the bar to non-staying guests as well.
The Cirencester office of Colliers Robert Barry sold the hotel off an asking price of £875,000 on behalf of the previous owners, the Valentine family.
By Angela Frewin
