'˜Business as usual' at Larne's Curran Court Hotel, say administrators

The two properties and the former Curran Court hotel site on Curran Road are owned by Curran Court Hotel Ltd, which went into administration on Tuesday July 26.

The 33-bedroom hotel Curran Court hotel, situated on the Redlands Road, employs 65 staff.

The family-run business was owned by Crawford Leitch and has been operating in Larne for 40 years, originally opening on the Curran Road in 1975 before moving to its current location.

La Bodega bar on Point Street employs six staff.

Ernst and Young have been appointed as administrators for Curran Court hotel Ltd.

A spokesperson for Ernst and Young told the Times: “It is ‘business as usual as the Administrative Receivers review the operations.’

“Andrew Dolliver and Luke Charleton were appointed Administrative Receivers over Curran Court Hotel.”

A spokesperson for the Curran Court Hotel Ltd group said: “The first we knew about it was when the administrators came to the hotel reception to say that they were foreclosing on the building loan.

“We had no warning.

“It was such a shock as this is a good business which has been trading well and we were about to celebrate 41 years in business in Larne this August.

“The staff are our priority but they are all devastated and in shock.

“The business is working under the administrators’ power for 14 days and then they will take a report back on its viability.

“We hope it will be sold as a going concern for the staff, some of who have worked here since the beginning.

“As far as we are aware payments to staff and suppliers are up to date and we have persuaded the administrators to honour vouchers which had already been sold for meals and hotel stays, which we are very happy about.”

The spokesperson said that the running of La Bodega bar had been taken over by Curran Court Hotel Ltd group, which already owned the building, around two years ago.

Between them, the hotel and bar employ 71 staff.

“Everyone is devastated, the management as well as staff, but hopefully we can get through this,” the spokesperson continued.

“It’s a good going concern which gives hope for the future.”

Chair of Larne Traders’ Forum Allan Dorman said he was “very sorry” that the long-established businesses had been placed in administration.

“My hope is that this can be sorted out and the business can continue to trade as it’s a great asset to the town,” he stated.

“The best thing would be to find another buyer.

“This must be a stressful time for the staff and the owners.

“It’s shocking as it has always been a popular and well-liked business.

“All we can do is hope that people continue to support the business,” he concluded.