CLOUGH Manor is throwing open its doors later this month at the start of an exciting new chapter for the iconic and historic Denshaw hotel.
And the latest tenants of the Rochdale Road wedding venue and restaurant have received the seal of approval from landlord, Alan Tupman.
As part of their determination to restore Clough Manor’s fortunes and reputation, the new occupants are hosting an open day on Friday, March 16 from 5pm-9pm with opportunity to meet the management team and view facilities at the picturesque 23-bedroom location.
Complimentary drinks and nibbles will be served.
“Slowly, but surely, we are building up the business again,” says experienced Dutch born hotelier, Zishan Zaman.
“We want people to know we are open for business because everyone thinks we are shut.
“You can’t walk into a business and think it will be booming in year one, never mind day one.
“All we need is for our guests to be satisfied and to make sure they come back.
“We believe they will and the positive feedback has already started since we officially took over last December.
“This is a big site with good bedrooms, a bar and restaurant.
“You don’t need to go outside because everything is here on the premises.”
Clough Manor, once a farmhouse built in the 18th Century, is now sister hotel to the Best Western Broadfield Hotel in Rochdale. It joins a portfolio of 12 such properties in the Zaman Hotels group.
“We are excited about the prospects for the future of the business given its excellent location surrounded by open countryside with views of the Peak District yet benefiting from easy access to the M62 connecting Manchester and Leeds,” added Zishan.
Going forward, the hotel will be considered for group branding while the restaurant, reputedly the
oldest in continuous service in Oldham, could become franchised.
“The good thing is we are local,” added manager and group revenue manager, Tameside born Rachel Duddridge.
“Since March 2012 we have ran the Broadfield which is really just around the corner.
“We regularly hold weddings there as well and that should give people some peace of mind to book weddings at Clough Manor.
“We have weddings already booked in here at Denshaw and we have assured customers we will be holding them as scheduled.”
Alan, who grew up on Oldham’s Alt Estate and started his working life with Wimpeys, is convinced Clough Manor, which he acquired in 2007, has a secure and prosperous future.
“This is a beautiful hotel. When you sit here with a coffee or beer in the summer, the view is magnificent.
“I know it is now in good, safe hands and I am confident about its future.”
The previous company running the hotel, Clough Manor Ltd, was wound up at a general meeting of its members on January 26, 2018.
Paul Stanley and Paul Barber of Begbies Traynor (Central) LPP in Manchester were appointed joint liquidators.
The company director was Phil Wareing. His partner, Anthony Leach, also Shaw based, resigned as a director of the company in April 2017.
A statement of affairs as of January 16, 2018 included a list of creditors owed £266,629.00. Among those were HMRC (£101,184.05), Oldham Council (£21,000) and £60,000 for Mr Tupman, who claims his overall debt is higher.
There was a further amount of £12,050.00 for wedding deposits.
Under the heading ‘explanation of the cause of the Company’s failure’ it is claimed this was due to:
• Excessive rent charged by the
landlord
• Costs incurred in rectifying key
parts of the building
• Landlord renege on proposed
purchase arrangement (of the
freehold) after substantial costs
incurred.
However, Mr Tupman told the Shaw and Crompton Correspondent: “In my opinion I believe the previous tenants are trying to deflect the truth of their businesses demise by inventing frivolous reasons for its failure.
“I did not renege on the purchase. Clough Manor Ltd could not raise the funds to complete the purchase.
“All repairs and upkeep by the tenants were contained in the lease; terms they failed to observe.
“The rent didn’t increase for four years and was agreed at the time of signing a lease.”