Exciting time for Matfen

Jan 24 2009 By Brian Daniel, The Journal

AN AWARD-winning Northumberland hotel is to be placed under new management.

Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf Club and Spa Resort, owned by Sir Hugh and Lady Anna Blackett, is to be managed by luxury hotel company Prima Hotels.

The company has been awarded a management contract for 53-bedroom Matfen Hall which includes two golf courses, a state-of-the-art golf academy, seven conference rooms and extensive spa and leisure facilities.

The four-star property benefited from a £5m investment programme in 2004, leading to it being awarded the Gold Award in the Best Large Hotel of the Year category at the national Enjoy England Awards in 2006.

Prima Hotels, which was founded in 1998 by Liam Walshe, currently operates five luxury hotels in England and Scotland.

The company runs the Quorn Country Hotel in Leicestershire, Hellaby Hall Hotel in South Yorkshire, the Stanneylands Hotel in Cheshire and the Royal Terrace in Edinburgh. Its latest acquisition was Nunsmere Hall Hotel in Cheshire for an undisclosed sum in September 2007.

That deal came about through business intelligence company Christie + Co, who have been acting as advisers to the Blacketts.

Mr Walshe, managing director of Prima Hotels, said: "We are really excited to be involved in the operation of this fantastic property, which compliments our existing portfolio of character hotels offering superb facilities and service.

"The owners deserve the best returns for this outstanding asset." Sir Hugh said: "It was important that our chosen operator maintained the individuality and quality of Matfen Hall while bringing new dynamics befitting a group with a similar ethos and the capacity to give the business the correct level of attention.

"We believe Prima Hotels fit the bill."

Jeremy Jones, director at Christie + Co, said: "After a competitive operator search, we were delighted to recommend that the management contract for Matfen Hall be awarded to Prima Hotels, a seasoned and highly-professional operator."

The hotel at Matfen opened in 1999, and celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.

It was run by the Blacketts with a consultant from the outset, but he retired at the end of last year.

Following the consultant’s departure, and because of the current economic climate, the Blacketts decided Matfen would benefit from more support and a link with other hotels.

Matfen Hall also boasts an award winning two 'AA Rosette' Library and Print Room Restaurant.