Exeter’s Royal Clarence Hotel site sold four years after fire

Andrew Brownsword hotels has sold the site of Exeter’s Royal Clarence Hotel nearly four years after it was gutted in a devastating fire.

The new owners are South West Lifestyle Brands Limited, a company indirectly-owned by former Plymouth Argyle chairman James Brent and his wife. The site has planning permission for a 74-bedroom hotel.

The Grade-II listed, 53-bedroom Royal Clarence Hotel was severely damaged by a fire in October 2016. Andrew Brownsword hotels had originally hoped to rebuild and reopen the property in 2018 but the project became unviable after the restoration work took longer than planned

Andrew Brownsword said: “We would like to thank the people of the city of Exeter who have shown us such support and patience since the fateful night of the fire.
 While we are deeply saddened that we were unable to return the hotel to the city that we love, we are satisfied that we have found a good owner for the site, who will restore this corner of Cathedral Yard to its former glory. We offer James and his team every good wish as they set to work.”

James Brent said: “We are delighted to have acquired this important site in such a stunning location. We look forward to working with the City, the Cathedral and other partners to replace the historic building.”