Dukes 92 owner Elle R Leisure snaps up 250-year-old hotel

The leisure operator behind the North West restaurant chain Albert’s has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of a 15-bedroom hotel and events venue near Mold, North Wales.

Manchester-based Elle R Leisure, which also owns the Dukes 92 bar in Castlefield, has bought Soughton Hall and The Stables, an on-site bar and restaurant.

James Ramsbottom, the managing director of Elle R Leisure, said: “This is a very exciting acquisition and adds another hotel to our growing portfolio to serve both the local market and also attract customers from Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester.

“Soughton Hall is a stunning property that we feel has a lot of potential. We will be keeping Soughton Hall and The Stables’ existing staff, and our intention is to build up the wedding and corporate business with a view to creating more jobs for local people.”

He added: “We look forward to bringing our expertise in the hotel management and corporate events and wedding hospitality to Soughton Hall.”

Slater Heelis LLP, the Manchester-based law firm, represented Elle R Leisure during the transaction.

Katharine Mellor, a partner with Slater Heelis, commented: “Soughton Hall is a fantastic asset to add to the successful property portfolio already owned by our clients.

“This deal enables Soughton Hall to flourish and build on its reputation as a first class venue in North Wales.”

Formerly serving as a bishop’s residence, the grade II-listed building was built in 1764 and remodelled in 1820 by explorer John William Bankes with the help of the architect who designed the Houses of Parliament, Sir Charles Barry.

The site was first used as a hotel in the late 1980s.