Von Essen buys the Forbury in Reading from administration

Luxury hotel operator Von Essen has rescued five-star Reading property the Forbury from administration, Caterersearch can reveal.
 
The hotel, which opened in 2007 in a Grade II-listed building after a £6m renovation, was placed into the hands of administrators Baker Tilly Restructuring and Recovery in March.
 
Von Essen has now taken on the hotel for a sum believed to be in the region of £10m, securing the jobs of all existing staff – for the short-term at least. The company, which now has 29 hotels, has also purchased the 16 self contained apartments and penthouse adjacent to the hotel.
 
The Forbury will be the first property in Von Essen’s “Metropolitan” set, to be followed early next year with the launch of Hotel Verta in London’s Battersea.
 
Andrew Davis, chairman of Von Essen, said: “We are delighted to have acquired the Forbury hotel, the inaugural member of our Metropolitan set.
 
“A key strategic objective for the collection is to acquire properties in the UK's principal cities. The Forbury is a fitting first hotel in this set and a valuable addition to the von Essen portfolio.”
 
Daniel Galmiche, who joined the Forbury in 2008 to oversee its Cerise and Eden restaurants, left to join two Michelin-starred Vineyard at Stockross in August. It means he will not be re-united with former employer Von Essen, having previously worked at its Cliveden property in Berkshire.

 
Luxury Forbury hotel falls into administration >>
 
Daniel Galmiche to join the Vineyard at Stockcross as executive chef >>
 
Von Essen on spending spree after boosting annual profits >>
 
Von Essen postpones the opening date of its new luxury hotel >>
 
For more on the launch of Hotel Verta >>
 

By Daniel Thomas

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