Appeal to buy Longmynd Hotel hits £300,000 mark

HF Holidays moved into the hotel, which overlooks Church Stretton, in February last year.

At the time, the co-operative picked up the site on a five-year lease purchase agreement, and set about raising £1 million to buy the hotel outright.

So far share-holding members of the UK's only travel co-operative, which specialises in walking and outdoor leisure holidays, have put together £326,000 to fund the deal.

The hotel was initially put on the market for £1.75 million and, while HF Holidays has not disclosed the hotel's agreed value, it says the £1 million raised would be added to money paid under the lease purchase agreement to build the final sale price.

The activity holidays co-operative marked its 100th anniversary in 2013, and launched the appeal to buy the 50-bedroom Church Stretton hotel as part of those celebrations.

Chief executive Jim Forward said: "The location of the Longmynd in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is unsurpassed.

"Guests cannot say enough good things about the setting and the wonderful walks available from the front door. We announced the Longmynd appeal at the beginning of our centenary year and members have responded magnificently, with individual donations from £10 to £1,000."

HF Holidays took out a lease 18 months ago and operates guided walking holidays and leisure activity breaks at the Longmynd.

The hotel was built in 1900 as a hydro-spa when Church Stretton enjoyed a brief period of celebrity as a health resort. Hertfordshire-based HF Holidays has already refurbished the public areas and exterior and gardens, and plans to refurbish many of the bedrooms once it acquires the freehold.

As well as guided walking, HF Holidays offers singing, dancing and bridge holidays at the Longmynd and has launched guided cycling breaks at the hotel for 2014.

Country house stays are offered to casual visitors, and the Longmynd also provides restaurant, conference and wedding facilities.