Administrators seek new owners for debt-ridden Gravetye Manor

Gravetye Manor, the three-AA-red-star, three-AA-rosette country house hotel near East Grinstead in West Sussex, has appointed KL Dukes and EM Shires of PricewaterhouseCoopers as joint administrators to manage its affairs.

The Elizabethan mansion, which is a Relais & Chateaux member, was owned by Andrew Russell and chef Mark Raffan. Both Russell and Raffan worked under the property’s founders Peter and Sue Herbert until they bought the property in 2004. However, Russell and Raffan have now left the business.

A spokesperson for PricewaterhouseCoopers said that the administration had come about because the hotel was carrying too much debt. “The owners had talked to potential investors, but the talks broke down,” she said.  “We shall we honoring all forward bookings.”

New owners are now being sought for the prestigious property, which was established as one of the first country house hotels in 1958. Several parties have expressed interest in the business since the administrators were appointed on 4 January.  

The 18-bedroom hotel held a Michelin star from 1978-1986 and, more recently, for 11 years from 1998-2008.  It is set within 35 acres of historic and award-winning gardens.

Jaume Tàpies, international president of Relais & Chateaux, expressed sadness at the news.  “I know that Andrew, Mark and all the staff have fought really hard for their business,” he said.

“They have tried to amend the situation over the past year.  During this period Gravetye has, as always, kept the highest possible level of service for their clients.

“As I have only just been informed, we have not yet been in touch with the administrators.  As soon as we will have all the information from them, we will study the membership situation.  Our rules are clear: a change of management or ownership can affect or cancel the membership.”


AA-listed three red-star hotels >>

AA 3-rosette restaurants in England >>

What’s on the menu? - A round-up of the latest restaurant reviews >>


By Janet Harmer and Amanda Afiya

E-mail your comments to Janet Harmer here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next hotel job here with Caterersearch.com jobs