Dartmoor hotel owner closes venue after 'torturous' decision

Doors at the White Hart Hotel in Moretonhampstead have closed ahead of its sale

The owner of a Dartmoor hotel and pub said she had taken the "tough" decision to close and sell the venue.

The White Hart Hotel in Moretonhampstead has been run by Alison McGregor since her husband Charles died in 2022.

However, she said financial pressures faced by the hospitality industry and wanting to spend more time with her family have led to her decision.

The venue, which closed on Sunday, will be auctioned next month.

Mrs McGregor has been the sole owner of the venue for the past two years following the death of her husband, who originally bought the property in 2012.

Along with the main building, a separate property called the Mews which has eight hotel bedrooms is also up for sale.

Time to 'focus on family'

Mrs McGregor told BBC Radio Devon while the decision to close was a "torturous" one to take, she felt it was the right time to move on.

She said: "I think it is well documented that the hospitality industry is going through unprecedented times.

"I think that coupled with my husband's passing and having a relatively young family who I want to focus on, it has all become too much."

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Mrs McGregor said the hotel had been a "major part" of her life and locals in the town had been very supportive at a "difficult time".

She added she was hoping someone took over the venue and kept it going.

"The building has effectively been mothballed for now," Mrs McGregor said.

"When Charles bought it, he saw it as an important part of the town and hopefully someone can continue with that."