Billington hotel remains open but owner calls in administrators (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Billington hotel remains open but owner calls in administrators

12:22pm Friday 30th January 2009

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THE group which owns a Billington hotel has gone into administration.

Bosses of the Clarion Hotel, Whalley Road, stressed that the venue was still fully open for business.

The Real Hotel Group PLC has closed four of its 40 other hotels.

But no long-term announcement has been made over the Clarion’s future.

The group went into administration after reporting a slump in sales that saw shares suspended on January 13.

A statement said: “The company has been act-ively exploring all financial and strategic options available in the light of its adverse financial position.

“It is with deep regret that the board has appointed administrators Shay Bannon and Antony Nygate, of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP.”

An East Lancashire couple, who were due to hold their wedding reception and evening celebration at the Clarion, said uncertainty had forced them to try to cancel their booking.

Darren Windle, of Brierfield, and Hayley Bamber, of Billington, are to marry on August 27, but said their evening plans had been turned into a “nightmare”.

Mr Windle said the couple have paid £1,100 towards a total bill of £2,500 for the celebrations, but claimed they were denied a refund after cancelling.

He said: “After we found the company was in trouble we called the administrators and they said that if a buyer was not found, our booking could not be guaranteed and we could lose our money.

“As a result we cancelled our booking, but were told that all money paid before last Wednesday was not refund-able.”

“This is supposed to be the greatest day of our lives but it is turning it into a nightmare.”

A spokesman for the hotel said the venue remained fully operational and open for business.

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