The George Hotel rescued by The UK Holiday Group

11th January 2013

The UK Holiday Group has rescued the business and 40 jobs at a Swaffham hotel which had gone into administration.

Administrators PwC confirmed the sale of The George Hotel in Swaffham (pictured) to the Anglia Hosts division of The UK Holiday Group, hours after it went into administration.

The sale followed a difficult trading period for former owners Arlington Place Hotels Ltd, which once ran four hotels in Norfolk before scaling back to The George and Heath Court in Newmarket, which was sold before the administrators were appointed.

Chris Pillar, joint administrator and director at PwC, said: “We are delighted to have achieved a sale of The George Hotel in such a short timescale. The sale will provide continuing employment for 40 staff and an ongoing business in the centre of Swaffham.”

Paul Bennett, managing director of the Norwich-based UK Holiday Group, said: “The George Hotel has long been an important part of the local community in West Norfolk, and both staff and customers can be reassured that the hotel is now in very safe hands. 

“We are delighted to welcome the George to our growing hotel portfolio, and our investment plans will safeguard its future for many years to come.”

The UK Holiday Group was founded by Mr Bennett in 1983 and is one of the country’s leading privately-owned holiday and hospitality companies. 

The group and its associated businesses have a turnover of more than £35m a year and employ more than 600 staff in the UK.

The three-star George Hotel is a 16th Century coaching inn and is an ideal base from which to explore the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, Royal Sandringham, the fine city of Norwich, historic Walsingham & Kingdom Country.

Swaffham has become known recently under its TV name of 'Market Shipborough', in the popular ITV drama Kingdom.

Starring Stephen Fry, the show is filmed on location in Swaffham, and The George played host to the crew and cast.

The George Hotel offers 30 en-suite bedrooms ranging from single, double, twin bedded and family suites.