Manager who turned around struggling 17th century Stourbridge hotel to leave following sale of business

The Talbot Hotel in Stourbridge faced an uncertain future when it closed suddenly in April, 2022, leaving its residents locked out in the street.

But the hotel reopened on July 31 last year following an extensive refurbishment, and enjoyed a new lease of life under new owner Westbourne Leisure, and manager Catherine Growcott who turned around the struggling hotel.

But Miss Growcott and her husband Lalit Ramchandani were informed last week that the hotel had been sold to Edgbaston-based Rosevine Services Ltd, owned by businessman Kuljinder Singh Pahal.

"They said we could stay on, but the new owners' vision was completely different to what we have," she said.

The couple have decided to quit The Talbot Hotel and will be hosting a farewell drinks party at the hotel on Saturday night.

Miss Growcott said she felt very proud of the way she had been able to turn the business into a successful hospitality venue.

"It's an historic and beautiful building, we have spent a year making sure the place is an asset to the area," she said. "We have had some amazing events, and it got to the stage where the new owners could sell it on, and they decided to do that."

The takeover by Miss Growcott and Westbourne  followed a troubled period in the hotel's long history. 

Previous owner New Horizons Ltd used the building to provide temporary accommodation for vulnerable people, with their rooms paid for by the benefits system. But it attracted complaints about anti-social behaviour before it closed suddenly, leaving its residents locked out without warning. New Horizons directors Joao Maia E Silva, 46, of Chipping Norton, and Shaun Melson, 57, of Brackley, Northamptonshire, were jailed for eight months each at Wolverhampton Crown Court after admitting they endangered life by not adhering to fire safety requirements.