Hotel that was scene of Rams rebellion is put on the market
PLAYERS CONSIDERED AN ALL-OUT STRIKE OVER DEPARTURE OF CLOUGH AND TAYLOR
A HOTEL and wedding venue which was once the scene of a Rams rebellion is up for sale just months after it underwent a £150,000 refurbishment.
The Mercure Newton Park Hotel, in Newton Solney, is on the market for around £2.2 million as owners and operators Juniper Hotels “focus on other business interests”.
The hotel was the scene of an emotional get-together on October 22, 1973, when a farewell party was being held for the wives and families of Brian Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor, who were leaving Derby County after a public fall-out with chairman Sam Longson.
Feelings ran high at the hotel following a few drinks and a full-scale players’ strike was suggested, as well as the idea that the team should board a plane and leave the country in protest at Clough’s treatment.
Things eventually cooled down and no such action took place, but it was not until the following month that the players gave their formal backing to new manager Dave Mackay
It is understood that the hotel, which has historic links to one of Burton’s great brewing families, could be used for residential, care or senior living accommodation should any new owners wish to change the use of the business.
The four-star hotel was acquired by Juniper in 2015, and in November, last year, the firm announced it had undergone a transformation with 21 of the 50 bedrooms revamped.
The bridal suite was “redesigned and upgraded” as part of the revamp.
Newton Park Hotel is one of three Juniper Hotels currently up for sale.
Mercure Bewley the Heath hotel is up for £2.8 million and Mercure Bradford
Bankfield hotel is on the market for £5.1 million. A report by Colliers International, which is marketing Newton Park on behalf of Juniper, said: “Operating under the globally recognised Mercure brand, this 4-star hotel is an established business with diverse revenue streams from a range of demand drivers.
“Set among around eight acres of grounds the property comprises a beautiful country manor hotel which stylishly blends traditional and contemporary; making it one of the area’s most highly regarded wedding and events and tourist venues.
“Acquired by our client in 2015, the freehold interest in the property and business is offered for sale to their focus on other business interests.
“This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the area’s leading tourist, function and event hotels.
“The product offering is impressive and its well established pre-Covid trading performance is expected to bounce back strongly; in particular as much of its revenues are derived from domestic and particularly local clientele.
“For those parties interested on an alternative basis (say residential, care, senior living) there is significant scope (subject to planning) for further development or repurposing.”
In the year ending December 2019, it had a net turnover of £1,416,160. The hotels are being marketed by Colliers International on behalf of Jupiter Hotels, owner and operator of the properties, and the company’s joint shareholders, FICO Holding UK and S Hotels and Resorts.
The hotel was originally a house built at the turn of the 19th century by Abraham Hoskins. In 1836 Lord Chesterfield bought Newton Park and let it to famous Burton brewer William Worthington. The house was converted to a hotel in 1959.