Sale of Buxton Crescent hotel 'blip in road'

Lindsay Rae said she was optimistic about the hotel's future

The sale of Buxton Crescent has been described as a "blip in the road" by a tourism leader.

The hotel's operator Ensana, said on Wednesday the Crescent, along with the Old Hall Hotel, was being put on the market by its owners.

Lindsay Rae, deputy director of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, said she was optimistic it would "go on to great things".

Earlier this year it was revealed the company behind Buxton Crescent had defaulted on an £11.4m loan repayment to Derbyshire County Council, but the authority said it was "hopeful" it could "recover the full amount owed to us".

The hotel's owner said it was offering it for sale "debt-free"

Ensana said the properties were "being offered debt-free" and the owners had confirmed "that all existing loans on the hotels will be repaid".

Ms Rae said: "It is a great opportunity for a new operator to come in. They don't have to spend money on refurbishing it - they could continue to run without any break in trade."

She added the ideal scenario was "very little change".

"I believe it'll go on to great things. It's already got great foundations," she said.

"This is just a blip in the road and I feel really sorry for the people who work there because it must be quite unsettling but it is a great prospect for somebody to buy and continue to operate."

Isla Dawes said the hotel brought people into her shop

Isla Dawes, who runs nearby Isla Fine Art, said the hotel "brings in a monied crowd" to her shop.

"People like to buy nice mementos at my shop and it brings many people to Buxton," she said.

"I would like it to continue, so much money has been poured into it, so to let it go would be a tragedy and such a waste."

Talking about the loan repayment, a spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: "We have been in discussions with Buxton Crescent Ltd about the repayment of the loan agreement and we are hopeful that we can recover the full amount owed to us.

"We also hope that a sale will help to secure the long term future of the hotel."