Events venue changes hands in seven-figure deal

Hothorpe Hall & The Woodlands in Theddingworth, Leicestershire, has been bought by new owners Christian Guild in a seven-figure funding deal provided by Allied Irish Bank (GB).

Hothorpe Hall & The Woodlands dates back to 900AD. In 1984 the location opened as a Christian Conference Centre and has retained its Christian values and customer base since then. Today it is a multi-use events venue welcoming over 20,000 guests a year for weddings, conferences, church or leisure residential breaks and functions.

Christian Guild is a UK Christian holiday and hotel company and is the trading name of Methodist Guild Holidays, which has developed into a multi-denominational holiday organisation for Christians of all ages. The acquisition of Hothorpe Hall & The Woodlands extends Christian Guild’s portfolio of venues across the UK which includes the Willersley Castle Hotel in Cromford, Derbyshire, Sidholme Hotel in Sidmouth, Devon and Treloyhan Manor Hotel in St Ives, Cornwall.

John Moffoot, chairman of Christian Guild, said: “We are grateful for the confidence shown in Christian Guild and Hothorpe Hall by Allied Irish Bank (GB). This is an exciting new venture and we are delighted to add Hothorpe to our portfolio, as it provides us with a wider market in conferences and weddings alongside our more traditional holiday venues.”

Dale Cowdell, relationship manager at Allied Irish Bank (GB) in Nottingham, said: “Hospitality is a vital growth sector for both the regional and national economy and a key focus for the bank. We are delighted to support Christian Guild with this strategically important acquisition, which has a natural synergy with the Group’s Christian ethos, extends its geographical reach and allows Christian Guild to leverage Hothorpe Hall’s experience and excellent reputation in the wedding and conference sectors.”