Rock star’s corporate hospitality business falls into administration

Astbury Estate

A Shropshire-based stately home, golf course and related corporate hospitality business owned by the former guitarist of Birmingham heavy metal band Judas Priest has fallen into administration.

The collapse of Astbury Estate, owned by KK Downing, has been blamed on the tougher corporate hospitality sector.

Alastair Massey and Steve Stokes, partners at FRP Advisory, have been appointed as joint administrators to the businesses Astbury Estates Ltd, Astbury Hall, Astbury Development Company Ltd and Ken Downing Ltd.

Collectively known as ‘the Estate’ the businesses owned and operated the stately home, golf course and related corporate hospitality business.

The joint administrators are continuing to trade the Estate, including the running of the Astbury golf-course and Astbury Hall, while seeking new owners. Parties interested in taking on the Estate are now being sought.

FRP said that after years of successful management as a popular leisure pursuits business, recent tougher economic times within the wider corporate hospitality market had put unsustainable pressure on the cash-flow of the Estate under its current financial structure.

The Astbury is a par 71, 18-hole championship golf course used by both professionals and amateur golfers and sits within 300 acres of land belonging to the Estate. The course is currently ranked within the top three courses in the UK.

Astbury Hall is a Georgian stately home, located close to Chelmarsh. Originally built during the reign of Henry III in the 13th Century, the building was destroyed by fire in 1889, and the present Astbury Hall was rebuilt in 1891 by the then mayor of Bridgnorth, Edmund Southwell. The Astbury is often hired out for corporate or charity golfing events and provides catering for up to 150 guests in a marquee or 60 within Astbury Hall’s dining rooms.

The joint administrators have retained all staff employed by the Estate to ensure it can continue to trade as normal.

Alastair Massey, joint administrator and partner at FRP Advisory, said: “Astbury Hall is a finely preserved, working English stately home steeped in history and the Astbury is a top notch, uniquely designed golf course, stretching across more than 300 acres of rolling Shropshire countryside.

“The administration process provides a cushion for the Estate to run as normal while the business, including this historic house, the associated golf course and events business are all marketed for sale.”

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