The owners of an award-winning Mid Wales hotel have expressed sadness at having to close the successful business next month.
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Nick and Jo Davies have run the Lion Hotel, Llandinam for seven years but will hand back the keys on October 15 to the property owners who opted not to renew their lease.
The couple decided not to take up an option to buy the hotel after a structural survey highlighted a need for significant investment.
During their time at the Lion Hotel, the couple won two Powys Business Awards and was named Best Hotel Restaurant in Mid Wales at the Food Awards Wales for the past two years.
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The hotel employs 10 full and part-time staff who have all achieved qualifications through Cambrian Training Company.
“We are very disappointed that we have to leave due to circumstances beyond our control,” said Nick. “We would like to thank our staff, customers and suppliers for their loyal support over the past seven years and will miss them all.
“We have built an award-winning team at the Lion Hotel and every member of our excellent staff has benefited from a learning programme, which has given them a good grounding in the catering and hospitality industry. Hopefully, they will not find it difficult to secure new jobs.
“Jo and I have worked hard and long hours to make the business a success and we now plan to spend time with our children, explore other employment opportunities and bring some reality back to our lives.
“I don’t know if I would want to run another restaurant at present because of the financial pressures on small businesses, particularly in rural areas. In five years, I fear there will be very few independent restaurants left because small businesses are being squeezed.”
Nick and Jo completely refurbished the hotel, which has a 70-cover restaurant and four letting bedrooms, when they took over and have built an excellent reputation for the quality of their food.
A former Culinary Team Wales member, Nick has worked in the catering and hospitality industry for 33 years, while Jo is a former training assessor.
The hotel is situated alongside the busy A470 between Newtown and Llanidloes in the village of Llandinam, famous for railway and mining entrepreneur David Davies.
