The Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth
St Austell Brewery has acquired two hotels in Devon, as part of its ongoing strategy to expand and develop its pubs, inns, and hotels business.
Dartmouth’s Royal Castle Hotel and The Royal Seven Stars, in Totnes, will be managed as part of the independent brewery’s 182-strong estate.
St Austell chief executive, Kevin Gergel, said: “Both hotels fit perfectly with our existing portfolio — family-friendly venues, in popular locations, with unrivalled views and quality bedrooms. The acquisition of these two iconic sites supports our plans to strengthen and grow our estate across the South West region.
“This is certainly an exciting period for the company as we will shortly open two more managed sites, which have undergone extensive and sensitive restoration work since we acquired them last year. The Rock Point Inn, in Lyme Regis — our first pub in Dorset — and the Harbour Light restaurant, on Paignton’s North Quay, will both re-open for business in the next two months.
“I am delighted that the work and investment undertaken over the last six months to increase the size and quality of our managed business is now coming to fruition. We look forward to continuing to develop and invest in our thriving estate and seek out further sites that may fit within both our managed and tenanted businesses.”
The Royal Seven Stars, Totnes
Steve Worrall, managing director of St Austell Brewery’s pubs, inns, and hotels business added: “Both award-winning hotels enjoy landmark locations and waterfront views over the River Dart. Combined, the new properties will provide us with an additional 45 guest bedrooms, two award-winning restaurants, and two contemporary bars,as well as private dining and event space.
“Nigel and Anne Way have built two tremendously successful businesses, renowned for their quality offering and exceptional level of customer service. We’d like to wish Nigel and Anne all the best for the future.
“The Royal Castle Hotel and the Royal Seven Stars remain open for business as normal, and we look forward to welcoming existing and new guests, and to ensuring the hotels continue to play a key role in the towns’ respective communities and economies.”
Nigel and Anne Way said: “After 37 years, we — and our daughter, Becca — have decided to spend more time together as a family and focus on our two West Somerset hotels, the Porlock Weir and Luttrell Arms.
“We’re confident that St Austell Brewery, an independent, West Country business that shares our family values, will be the most suitable guardian for our two Devon hotels going forward.
“We’d like to thank all our staff and customers in Dartmouth and Totnes who, over the years, have become part of the Way family. We wish St Austell Brewery the best of luck and look forward to seeing both hotels — which we’ve treasured for many years — continue to flourish.”
