A hotel in Powys has been forced to revise its business plans due to spiralling costs. Caer Beris Manor at Builth Wells has closed its restaurant and is now operating only as a bed and breakfast.
The manor, which has 18 bedrooms and can sleep up to 38 guests, will also offer exclusive hire for team building activities, family gatherings and events. Existing bookings for weddings, group gatherings and Christmas events will continue as planned.
The hotel's new flagship restaurant called Teulu, which launched this summer by head chef Jamie Tully, has been forced to shut its doors due to the energy crisis and sky-rocketing operational cost.
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Caer Beris is often frequented by celebrities and its rebranded restaurant had aspired to earn the manor a Michelin star. The hotel has had to contend with flooding and the Covid-19 pandemic since it was taken over by the Southwick family.
Co-owner Kimberley Southwick said that while trading is tough in the current economic climate, the business was not closing.
"This journey has certainly thrown us some curveballs since taking over the manor at the end of 2019, just before the pandemic," she said.
"During this current economic crisis, with the costs of food and utilities not only doubling but tripling, we can't keep raising prices as, ultimately, it’s the customer who pays the highest price when it comes to the restaurant.
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"We’re incredibly proud of the success of Teulu, but even with a packed restaurant and awesome reviews, it just could not be saved with what’s happening in the country right now. It’s yet another tough time for us, as it is for so many, but we want to say this loud and clear: we are not closing.
She added: "The manor will run as a B&B for the foreseeable future and we are always open for locals to pop in for a drink. There are numerous dining options in and around Builth Wells and we are so happy to be able to support these businesses.
“We’ve survived Covid, flooding and more, and we are confident that we will see through this economic crisis and will continue through with the smiles and warm welcome you know and love.”
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