Troubled hotel to reopen under new management

A CRISIS-hit Perth hotel which closed without warning is about to reopen, Best Western has revealed.

General manager Stuart Shearer has been accused of going into hiding after shutting down the city’s Lovat Hotel, forcing nearly 50 people out of work and throwing couples’ wedding plans into disarray.

Tourism giant Best Western, which promotes the three-star establishment, has confirmed the venue will soon reopen after liquidators took control of Mr Shearer’s business SLE Enterprises.

Anyone left out of pocket has been advised to contact Johnston Carmichael. The firm’s restructuring partner Matt Henderson said: “SLE Enterprises has encountered cashflow difficulties during the past year and we are now dealing with creditors’ claims following the creditor’s voluntary liquidation.

“We are aware that the time between Christmas and Easter is widely recognised within the hotel industry as a difficult trading period and SLE Enterprises arrived at a point where it could no longer continue to operate.”

A Best Western spokeswoman added: “We have been informed by the owners that the Lovat Hotel has appointed a liquidator and the owners hope to reopen shortly under new management.

“Anyone who believes they are owed money should contact the liquidator. However, we have been advised that the liquidator cannot help with questions about future bookings.”

Mr Shearer, who has three failed businesses behind him, has not returned calls or responded to emails from angry staff, guests or the media.