Signature Living's 30 James Street to reopen under Legacy Hotels management

Legacy Hotels will be the operator of Signature Living's 30 James Street hotel in Liverpool when it reopens after it was appointed by the receivers for the property.

The new operator is seeking to preserve as many of existing jobs as possible despite the challenging economic situation and has vowed to invest a "significant amount of money" into the building, with a reopening slated for late July.

The Grade II*-listed, four-star property was owned and operated by Signature Living and opened in 2014. Legacy Hotels has confirmed that Signature Living will have no further links to the management of the hotel, which is the latest in the group's portfolio to fall into administration or receivership.

Administration documents for the group's Shankly hotel in Liverpool published last week revealed bedroom investors were owed arrears of around £1.3m, while administrators have been instructed to dispose of the vessel it had hoped to transform into a floating party hotel.

Its Coal Exchange hotel in Cardiff has also since separately fallen into administration, as has its George Best hotel in Belfast.

30 James Street, themed around the White Star Line shipping company, which once occupied the historic building, contains 63 nautical-themed rooms, as well as a rooftop terrace bar with waterfront views, a restaurant, events space and spa facilities. The building was designed by Norman Shaw, who also designed New Scotland Yard in London, and was completed in 1896.

Julian Clarke and Matthew Nagle of Savills were appointed as LPA receivers of the hotel. Clarke said: "We quickly identified that there were some urgent works needed to have the building cleaned up and in good shape for reopening, so we commissioned the builders who are already working on this. We also carefully considered our options to reopen the hotel, and we are now delighted to be working with Legacy to bring this about."

Jim Gordon, managing director of Legacy Hotels and Resorts, said: "This is a new beginning for this historic and beautiful building. The hotel is a key asset for Liverpool's visitor economy, and it is important that we reopen it as soon as possible as the city begins to open up again after the coronavirus pandemic.

"To that end there will be a significant amount of money invested on much-needed repairs and upgrades as well as ensuring that it is thoroughly cleaned to provide assurance to staff and guests as we commence trading, post the Covid lockdown.

"Recent months have proved an extremely difficult time for the hospitality and leisure sector. We are keenly aware that it has been tough for the team at 30 James Street, with profound uncertainty because of the current national health situation. We will do all we can to retain as many existing jobs at the site as possible.

"The health and safety of our teams and returning guests also continues to be a key priority at this time and we have made all necessary preparations to ensure that everyone is looked after as we work towards a late July reopening."

Legacy operates more than 2,200 bedrooms in the UK.

Signature Living's in-administration Shankly hotel owed bedroom investors around £1.3m >>

Signature Living's Coal Exchange hotel in administration >>

Signature Living's Belfast George Best hotel falls into administration >>