Lawrence Kenwright has seen several group companies collapse in recent years. Credit: via archive

Lawrence Kenwright declared bankrupt

1 February 2024 16:42 Dan Whelan Comments ()

The Liverpool-based businessman behind the ailing Signature Living empire has been handed a 12-month bankruptcy order.

Lawrence and Katie Kenwright, the husband-and-wife duo behind a host of well-known hotels across the region, were declared bankrupt by the insolvency service on Tuesday.

The 12-month bankruptcy orders follow a difficult few years for the Signature group, which has seen a string of businesses go bust following the pandemic owning millions to creditors.

In 2020, six entities fell into administration, including the hotel group’s parent company, Signature Living Hotel and two vehicles behind residential schemes in Liverpool and Manchester.

Four more group companies collapsed in the summer of 2022, including those behind the Dixie Dean Hotel in Liverpool and the proposed Shankly Hotel in Preston.

Lawrence Kenwright was also declared bankrupt in 2010. In an interview six years later, he said the experience had made him “a better businessman”.

Kenwright fronted the Liberate Liverpool movement, which saw several independent candidates run for election under its banner at last year’s local elections.