Harrison Drury advises as Barton Grange hotel acquired

Harrison Drury has advised the previous owners of the well-known Barton
Grange Hotel near Preston on its sale to a Wigan-based operator.

The hotel, a former manor house, has been sold by the Topping family to
Double Dutch Hotels Ltd, a family business which also operates the Lancashire
Manor Hotel at Pimbo near Wigan.

The Topping family also owns the nearby garden centre and Flower Bowl
entertainment venue, along with a landscaping business, and the Barton Grange
Marina on the Lancaster Canal.

Commenting on
his family’s decision to sell, Guy Topping said: “With the successful opening
of the Flower Bowl last year, alongside the thriving Garden Centre, it was inevitable
that our focus would become concentrated on our site at Brock.

“Our plan is to
continue developing and improving the Garden Centre and to set new standards in
the delivery of leisure facilities in the UK. It’s a very exciting time for our
business.”

David Filmer, director at Harrison Drury Solicitors, led the team advising
the Topping family.

David said: “It has been a pleasure to support the Topping family, a
long-standing client, and to help make it possible for them to focus on
developing their hugely successful facilities at Brock.”

Under its new owners, the historic 51-room Barton Grange hotel will
continue to offer weddings and events. Other facilities at the hotel include a
conference and meeting suite, beauty treatment rooms, sauna, swimming pool and
the Walled Garden Restaurant.

Mark Timmerman, MD of Double
Dutch Hotels Ltd, added: “We are really excited with the purchase of the Barton
Grange Hotel, with its excellent reputation and quality standards.

“All the hotel staff are
transferring to our employment, and it’s been a delight to work with this
professional and dedicated team over the transfer period.”