Lodge receiver says business as usual

A receiver appointed to the Shamrock Lodge Hotel is stressing this week that the high profile business will continue operating as normal and the 42 staff employed there will remain in place. At the weekend, management at the hotel requested that a receiver be appointed to protect the facility, one of the town's best known hotels, from creditor action. On Sunday Aengus Burns and Paul McCann from Grant Thornton were appointed as joint receivers to Avonhurst Ltd, the company running the hotel, by the Bank of Scotland plc. In a statement, the receiver said the move is a proactive measure by hotel management to ensure the continuation of the hotel trade and protect employment of hotel staff. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent one of the receivers, Aengus Burns, was stressing that it's business as usual at the hotel, and all deposits and bookings are secure. Paddy and Alan McCaul remain working as part of the hotel's management, he confirmed, adding that they are looking forward to welcoming guests going forward. The hotel is continuing to take bookings. All 42 workers will remain in place at the hotel, Mr Burns stressed, pointing out that their priority is to keep the hotel open and maintain the value of the asset which the company is restructured. He played down the idea of the hotel being sold in the short-term but couldn't rule it out in the future.