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Devon-based Kitley House has announced it is closing its hotel and restaurant.
The hotel has revealed plans to reopen in September as an “exclusive-use wedding and private events venue”, but will no longer operate as a hotel and restaurant, rebranding the venue as Kitley House and Country Estate.
The 600-acre estate on the banks of River Yealmpton closed its doors in March amid the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in bookings being postponed and staff being placed on furlough.
Managing director Spike Bastard, whose family has owned Kitley for generations, said: “In recent months I have taken the opportunity to reflect on the future of the business and how best to thrive in the new economic and social climate following the pandemic.
“We consider now is the right time to refocus Kitley, re-opening soon as a dedicated wedding and private events venue, concentrating on the services we deliver exceptionally well and for which the estate offers incredible scope.”
Bastard said: “This will inevitably necessitate a certain amount of staff restructuring and it saddens me that some of our loyal and long-standing employees, who have been furloughed since the spring, will face redundancy.
“We hope to keep as many people as we can in employment here and look forward to welcoming back those we can retain to a revitalised and revamped business.”
During the lockdown closure, the manor house and grounds have been undergoing further renovations and improvements.
Plans are currently being refined to landscape a dedicated area for a modular marquee with full 360-degree open views including the River Yealm.
