The Courthouse, a restaurant, bar and hotel in Knutsford has closed after its owners Flat Cap Hotels fell into administration. A spokesperson for the venue confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that administrators have been appointed, and cited issues including the pandemic, inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
The 200-year old Knutsford Crown Court in Cheshire
became a hotel, bar and restaurant in 2018when brothers Oliver and Dominic Heywood transformed the historic venue after a multi-million pound refurbishment. In 2023 the venue was reimagined again after a 12-month renovation to give the hotel and restaurant a fresh look.
Records for the company show on Companies House show that the Insolvency practitioners Begbies Taynor Central LLP were appointed on January 18. Flat Cap Hotels other venues, The Vicarage at Cranage and The Bridge in Prestbury will remain open.
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A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Flat Cap Hotels Limited, which operates the Bridge in Prestbury, The Vicarage in Cranage and The Courthouse in Knutsford, has entered administration.
"Like many others in the hospitality sector, despite having an excellent reputation and a strong brand, the business has been impacted by a combination of factors, including the pandemic, inflation and the challenging economic environment for consumers.
“Partners at Begbies Traynor have been appointed as Joint Administrators and the focus is now on stabilising the operating position of the business and exploring future options. The Bridge and the Vicarage will continue to trade as normal, while The Courthouse has ceased trading.”
The sudden closure has saddened many residents and visitors of the venue, and those with booking for private events such as weddings and family celebrations have reported having the bookings cancelled. On a Knutsford Facebook group those who had weddings booked with the venue for this year and desperately trying to to find alternative venues.
One person wrote: "I had my wedding ceremony booked at The Courthouse which has now unfortunately closed. Does anyone know of anywhere local to hold a wedding ceremony on the late August bank holiday this year?"
Many were quick to share other recommendations, while others expressed their surprise at the venue closing. "The Courthouse CLOSED!! The whole building / business???," one wrote.
Another added: "Very sad to hear for all clients and staff concerned. Sincerely hope a rescue package or buyer comes along soon."
Meanwhile, events such as Knutsford Beer Festival were due to take place in the venue this spring, but organisers issued an update confirming they had found a new venue. On an update shared on Facebook, they wrote: "Like many people in Knutsford, all of us were saddened this week to receive notification from the Courthouse that it was closing its doors.
"Our thoughts go out to the owners and employees who worked so hard to give Knutsford another great venue, and to those companies and couples who had events booked there this year. We have been extremely fortunate that our good friends at MBOSS, the property management company that owns Egerton Place, have come to our rescue."
The 200-year-old former courthouse witnessed plenty over the years. The Grade II-listed building was originally known as The Sessions House and was partly built in 1575 before being completed in 1818 by architect George Moneypenny.
In 1952, Alan Turing was put on trial at the courthouse for “gross indecency” because of his relationship with Arnold Murray before homosexuality was decriminalised. The building remained as an active Crown Court until 2010, with Flat Cap Hotels acquiring the property in 2016 after the Ministry of Justice revealed they were selling it.
Oliver told the paper: “Our big focus is buildings of interest and heritage and how we can convert them and bring them back into the community. We wanted to open the building back up to the public. There’s so much interest in the building and so much history. I still pinch myself that we got it.”
Dominic added: “A stunning building like this should be open to the public. You couldn’t just walk in and have a look at the architecture when it was a court, but now you can.”
The brothers father, Peter Heywood, was also involved in hotels across Cheshire and South Manchester, including at the Park Royal in Warrington, the Bears Paw near Lymm and the Belfry House Hotel in Handforth. Prior to launching Flat Cap Hotels, Oliver had previously worked for the Radisson Edwardian Hotel group, while Dominic had been working as a successful horse trainer.
