North East chef and restaurateur Terry Laybourne plans to sell his stake in Jesmond Dene House hotel and restaurant after admitting the businesses directors had “very different ideas” over its future, Caterer has learnt.
He and his brother Laurance have effectively given notice that they will sell their 50% stake in the boutique Newcastle hotel. Terry now intends to focus on his restaurant business, 21 Hospitality Group.
The brothers opened the hotel and restaurant, which has three AA rosettes, in partnership with property developers Peter Candler and Tony Ganley in 2005. Together they bought and refurbished the almost derelict building, turning it into a popular hotel and restaurant that has won nation acclaim.
Terry and Laurance officially resigned in 2009 as directors of the 40-bed hotel, but until now had retained their interest in the business.
Candler and Ganley will continue to run the hotel.
Terry Laybourne explained: “Looking forward, all the directors had the same ambitions on where we wanted to take the business but very different ideas on how to get there.
“We decided the time was right to end our involvement to focus our energies on 21 Hospitality Group and other restaurant plans we have. We leave a business that has a strong operations team and is in very capable management hands.”
Terry Laybourne - My Life in Hospitality >>
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By James Stagg
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