Administrators announce closure of Birch Selsdon hotel in South Croydon

Birch Selsdon hotel and members club will be closed by administrators, a week after its sister property in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, shut its doors.

Birch Cheshunt closed with immediate effect on 21 November, while the Selsdon property in South Croydon had continued to trade under the control of administrators.

The Caterer understands that the property will be closed to members and guests from midnight today (29 November).

Members were told in an email that they would not be able to access the property from 30 November 2023 and a statement on the hotel's website read: "We regret to inform you that the joint administrators have taken the difficult decision to close the hotel with immediate effect.

"We appreciate this is disappointing news and apologise for the obvious distress and disruption to our members, guests, suppliers and the employees."

Moorfields Advisory Limited was appointed as administrator to the Selsdon hotel on 17 November after the property ran into difficulty due to "cash constraints".

The 181-room Birch Selsdon launched in Croydon this spring under managing director Ayo Akinsete, with two restaurants overseen by chef Lee Westcott.

Earlier this month a Birch Selsdon member told The Caterer: "The gardener is on reception and they have let go of all the zero hours people. The lido is shut too. The animals are going back."

Milan Vuceljic, partner at Moorfields, had earlier said: "The Birch hotel group had a unique market proposition, which fitted with today's health and wellbeing culture whilst still boasting a Greater London location."

He added that administrators would "explore various options" and stated that the hotel "provides a good opportunity for potential purchasers".