Put up for sale in September, it is now revealed that companies behind the Bliss Hotel in Southport are in administration. Tony McDonough reports

Companies behind a Southport luxury hotel that was put up for sale in late September have collapsed into administration, it was revealed on Tuesday.

On September 27 LBN reported how agents at CBRE had been instructed to find a buyer for the property. In June LBN reported that CBRE had been brought in to explore options for an expansion of the 131-room hotel which has seen a £20m investment.

Now it is revealed that the two companies behind the hotel – Waterfront Southport Properties and Waterfront Hotels (Southport) – are in administration. The hotel is continuing to trade as normal.

Paul Davies and Sandra Mundy, of advisory firm James Cowper Kreston, have been appointed as joint administrators of both businesses. They were appointed on September 28, 2022, the day after CBRE was instructed to seek a buyer.

“We are continuing to trade the business as usual whilst we look for a buyer for the business as a going concern,” said Mr Davies. “At this time we have no plans to make any changes to the team structure and we will be honouring all function bookings.

Bliss includes penthouses, a lounge bar, restaurant, roof garden, gym, conferencing and events spaces and secure underground car parking for 120 cars. Next door to the hotel is a 50,000 sq ft development site. This is also available via a separate negotiation.

The whole complex is located adjacent to the proposed £75m Marine Lake Events Centre. This would see a 1,200-seater events space built to replace the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre which closed in 2020.

Directly to the south of the hotel is Marine Parade, Southport Pier and a range of leisure attractions. The wider waterfront is anchored by numerous restaurants, bars, amusements and leisure facilities.