The Specialist Leisure Group, the owner of the The Bay Grand Hotel and The Imperial Exmouth Hotel has announced it is laying off 2,460 employees across its UK businesses.

In a statement the group's administrators have said that their 'immediate priority' is supporting staff and that the impact of COVID-19 is the reason for the group going under.

Yesterday it was Click announced The Bay Grand Hotel, operated by Bay Hotels, and The Imperial Exmouth Hotel, operated by Coast & Country Hotels will not be reopening. Both operators belonged to the Specialist Leisure Group.

All tours, cruises, holidays and hotel stays booked with the Specialist Leisure Group have now been cancelled and 'will not be rescheduled', according to the company's website.

Sam Woodward and Colin Dempster of EY's Restructuring team were yesterday appointed Joint Administrators of the Specialist Leisure Group.

Joint Administrator, Sam Woodward, commented: "The Group has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as all tours, trips and events have been cancelled and the hotels closed to the public, leading to a significant cash shortfall.

"The directors of the Group have been in discussions with a number of parties, seeking a going concern buyer for the business. Unfortunately, despite interest in the Group as a whole and in parts, no viable transaction structure was able to be agreed and, as a result, the Group was placed into Administration."

"Regrettably, the jobs of 2,460 employees, 2,207 of which were furloughed at the time of appointment, will now have to be made redundant. Approximately 70 employees will initially be retained to assist the Administrators in disposing of the assets and winding down the business.

Mr Woodward added: "Our immediate priority is to advise and support those employees and customers that have been impacted by the Group's insolvency. We are making every effort to contact all customers, who have had their bookings cancelled as a result of the Administrations or COVID-19, with information to assist them in making a claim. Customers should be assured that claims do not need to be submitted immediately and refunds will continue to be accepted for up to six months.

"We will also be seeking to realise the remaining assets of the Group's business for the benefit of creditors and we are therefore seeking offers from interested parties."

Specialist Leisure Group is a British hotel and leisure travel company specialising in escorted tours, short breaks, events and river cruises throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide for the over 50s.

Headquartered in Wigan the Group employs over 2,400 people across its 44 UK hotels and travel brands.

The Group, which operates Shearings Holidays, National Holidays (trading as Caledonian Travel), UK Breakaways, Coast & Country Hotels, Bay Hotels, Country Living Hotels, and Wallace Arnold Travel, has ceased trading with immediate effect. Bay Hotels, Coast & Country Hotels and Country Living Hotels will not reopen.

All tours, holidays and hotel breaks booked with the Specialist Leisure Group have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

If you have been affected by the closure of The Bay Grand Hotel or The Imperial Exmouth Hotel and would like to talk about the situation please email: [email protected].

Click here, for more detailed information on refunds.