Swindon & Wiltshire News
Award-winning country house hotel closes after 30 years
The family who run the The Pear Tree at Purton have announced today (January 2) that it has closed permanently after 30 years as a country house hotel.
Anne Young, managing director, made the announcement today after deciding to retire – and her daughter and hotel manager Alix Young will be moving with her family to begin a new life in the north of England this month.
Anne said: “I have given 30 years of my life to this business and while I look forward to retirement I will miss the hotel, staff and my friends in the community very much.”
The hotel, which won numerous accolades over the years and was featured in the Good Hotel Guide for 14 years, is in the process of being sold.
Anne said: “Overheads have continued to rise, especially utilities, repairs and food. Last year we moved from a seven day to a five and a half day operation but we still have struggled as a business to balance the books.
“We made every effort to continue as a going concern but this just wasn’t possible. We wanted to do what was fairest for our staff and customers.”
Staff were told about the closure and all relevant redundancy payments will be honoured. The hotel is in the process of being sold and should re-open as a different business in due course.
