Administrators relaunch Southport hotel sale 

Christie & Co has been appointed alongside Savills to find a buyer for a 131-bedroom hotel after an earlier deal for the site fell through.

James Cowper Kreston was appointed as administrator over Waterfront Hotels (Southport) Limited and Waterfront Southport Properties Limited last year.

In May, the administrator said a preferred bidder for Southport Waterfront Hotel, previously known as Bliss Hotel, had been selected. 

However, Place North West understands that the deal did not complete, prompting James Cowper Kreston to relaunch the sale. 

As well as the four-star hotel, which boasts a bar, restaurant, 120-space basement car park, and function suites, the sale also includes a fully built 50,000 sq ft development opportunity next door. 

Recently refurbished to the tune of £15m, the hotel is located close to the £75m Marine Lake Events Centre, which is under construction. 

David Lee, regional director of Christie & Co’s North and Midlands hotels team, said the asset was well-placed in the context of Southport’s wider regeneration. 

“With its waterfront views and ideal position near Southport’s many local attractions, the sale of the Southport Waterfront Hotel presents a prime opportunity to purchase a substantial, well-maintained hotel in a popular UK seaside town,” he said. 

“The regeneration of the Marine Lake area is expected to attract over half a million visitors to Southport each year and Royal Birkdale, playing host to the Open in 2026 is expected to bring over 250,000 visitors to the area, so there is significant scope for a new owner to grow the business and increase turnover in the next few years.” 

Offers are invited for the hotel on a long leasehold basis, with 235 years left on the lease. The day-to-day operations remain unaffected as the administrators are continuing to trade the business as a going concern. 

Tom Cunningham, director in Savills’ hotel capital markets team, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to acquire the long-leasehold interest in a luxury seaside hotel. 

“The property has benefited from a multimillion-pound refurbishment and comes with outstanding asset management and development potential, subject to planning.”