Sidmouth Family Hotel Sells
The Westcliff Hotel at Sidmouth has been sold by the Malloch-Brown/Harding family to the Nicolas James Group.
The hotel, in the owners’ family for over 40 years, has won numerous awards, including competing against 4000 hotels for the coveted AA award for "Courtesy and Care" for England in 2004/5.
The Westcliff will be the latest acquisition to the Nicolas James Group of hotels in prestigious locations.
Mr Malcolm Malloch-Brown said “When our family celebrated 40 years at the Westcliff this year we decided it was time to bow out gracefully. “We have sold to the Nicolas James Group, which already owns a group of similar hotels so we feel sure our hotel is in safe hands.
“We also want to thank our loyal and wonderful customers who have supported the Westcliff over the years”.
Advisors for the Malloch-Browns were South West law firm Foot Anstey both for property and commercial matters and accountants Ernst & Young. The Malloch-Brown’s property agent was Colliers Robert Barry.
Winchester Legal, Solicitors, acted for the purchaser on all property and commercial matters.
Simon Gregory of Foot Anstey said “We were delighted to act for Malcolm Malloch Brown and his family in relation to the sale of their hotel business. This is one of a number of hotel sales and purchases our specialist Hotels and Leisure Team has been involved in during the last 12 months”.
Chris Bush of Ernst & Young said “We have really enjoyed working with the directors over many years and were pleased to advise on the eventual sale of the business".
Westcliff was built soon after the turn of the century as a splendid dwelling house. During the 1930s it was converted to a hotel with an extension of 15 bedrooms. During the Second World War the hotel was requisitioned and used as an Officers Mess and some officers have returned for a nostalgic visit.
Set in two acres of splendid gardens overlooking the Sidmouth esplanade, the Westcliff has been extended and developed into a 40 bedroom award winning quality hotel. This year the AA awarded the Westcliff a quality score of 85%, one of the top ratings in the country for three star hotels.
The current family ownership dates back to 1966 when Mr & Mrs Kenneth Harding purchased the Westcliff. Since Mr Kenneth Harding’s death in 1983, in his 83rd year, the hotel has been run by Mrs Phyllis Harding, her daughter and son-in law, Mr & Mrs Malcolm Malloch-Brown, and their son Jonathan.
Published 01/12/2006
