Hotel closure leaves staff and guests out of pocket

Brownsover Hall Hotel in Rugby confirmed it had closed with immediate effect on Thursday, with liquidators appointed

A Warwickshire hotel and events venue has confirmed it has shut and appointed liquidators, with bookings cancelled and staff left out of work.

A staff member at Brownsover Hall Hotel said workers were informed they had lost their jobs in a meeting with liquidators at 10.00 BST on Thursday.

The hotel website has been taken down and replaced with a statement advising customers the venue can no longer accommodate current or future bookings.

"The director sincerely apologises for any distress caused by the closure," the statement added.

The staff member told the BBC they "knew something was coming" after a meeting in July informing workers that the hotel would be sold.

Shifts were cancelled on Wednesday night, with personnel told at 22:00 BST to attend the meeting the following day, they added.

"No one has been paid since 27 July," they said. "There was no consideration for the effect that this was going to have on their staff."

They estimated the hotel employed up to 50 people, and described a number going straight to the local job centre.

"That tells you how desperate people are. People are wondering where their next food shop is coming from," they said.

Colleagues were told the venue would be closed for six months, with a new owner intending to refurbish it and reopen it as a hotel, they added.

Maxine and Brian Day said they were "angry" their weekend stay was cancelled two days before they were due to arrive

The hotel's statement advised customers who had paid deposits to contact their banks or providers to check eligibility for refunds.

Bridge Newland Limited would assist with "placing the company into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation," it added, with a formal notice hoped to be sent to creditors next week.

"A purchaser for the property has been found and it is intended to close the business for a period of time in order to complete refurbishments," the statement continued.

The three-star hotel on Brownsover Lane was once the residence of jet engine inventor Sir Frank Whittle

The Grade II listed venue, once home to jet engine inventor Sir Frank Whittle, hosted frequent conferences and functions, the staff member said.

"We get a lot of weddings booked in the summer," they added.

People have posted on social media to express fear and frustration over cancelled bookings.

"My sister is [supposed] to have her wedding reception there in December, she'll be gutted," posted one.

Maxine Day said she was angry her weekend stay to attend a nearby festival and celebrate her husband's birthday was cancelled by email at 23:30 BST on Wednesday night.

"We have a three-hour drive from Portsmouth and [I] have assistant dogs as I have a condition," she said.

"It has caused great panic and stress. Fortunately I have found somewhere, but it's 20 minutes away [from the] event which is difficult for me as I have to go back to my room and rest."

The BBC has approached the hotel and liquidators for further comment.