Foot-and-mouth sees off Isle of Wight pub and hotel

The most famous pub and hotel complex on the Isle of Wight is blaming the devastating effects of the foot-and-mouth outbreak for the failure of the business.

The Wight Mouse and Clarendon Hotel at Chale has been declared insolvent but will continue to trade until a new buyer is found by administrators BDO Stoy Hayward, which has installed a new manager.

Last year's poor weather has also been blamed for the problems at the Wight Mouse which is the most decorated pub on the Island, taking the title of Publican Family Pub of the Year two years running as well as being named Egon Ronay Family Pub of the Year.

News of the insolvency comes as a particular shock as the Wight Mouse had also been widely acknowledged as the Island's busiest pub.

Local couple Keith and Julia Plant, in partnership with a farming couple from Wiltshire, John and Pauline Tremlett, took over the business from its owners of 21 years, John and Jean Bradshaw, in June 2000.

But by the time administrators were appointed earlier this month, the businesses had liabilities totalling £1.7m, including £1.1m in respect of loans to buy the businesses.

Mr Edward Head, a partner in BDO Stoy Hayward, who has been appointed joint administrator with Dermot Coakley, said a financial appraisal was being made and a report would be made to creditors at the end of February, by which time the business would have been restored to profitability.

He said he hoped to find a buyer as soon as possible but could not reveal an asking price at this stage.