The launch of the Boutique Hotel Company, a new online reservations business and consultancy, has been abandoned after its managing director became critically ill.
Jeffrey Crockett (pictured) suffered a serious heart attack on 11 September 2011. Despite making a positive recovery and spending Christmas at home, he is now continuing to recuperate in the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, where he is expected to remain until next month.
It is expected that his full recovery will take many months, if not years.
J-J Pollak, business development manager of the Boutique Hotel Company, said that it would be a long time until Crockett was well enough to work again.
"As a result of this, Boutique Hotels Management Ltd and the Boutique Hotel Company brand will cease trading with immediate effect and be placed as a dormant company, existing only in name for the foreseeable future," he explained. "For anyone who had signed up to the Boutique Hotel Company as a hotel partner, this collaboration will also cease."
Crockett has had a long career in the hotel industry, having worked at the Savoy, Claridge's and the Connaught in London, as well as in five-star hotels in Geneva, Paris and New York.
He has been the general manager at Hambleton Hall in Oakham, Rutland, and developed Fawsley Hall, near Daventry, Northamptonshire, into a luxury hotel, as managing director of Obelus Hospitality.
Launch of Boutique Hotel Company delayed by owner's illness >>
Viewpoint - Jeffrey Crockett says managing room rates isn't easy >>
Boutique hotels have created a buoyant market >>
By Janet Harmer
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.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk
Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
E-newsletters
For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our E-newsletters