Guy's Thatched Hamlet shuts after 'difficult decision'

An iconic Lancashire canal side hotel and restaurant business has closed suddenly after nearly five decades of operation.

The owners of Guy’s Thatched Hamlet in Bilsborrow made the announcement online. It is understood all staff have been made redundant. The future of the site is unknown.

Guy’s, which sits just off the A6, has been a popular destination for 46 years. It was well known for its distinctive thatched roofs and rustic feel and for its famous Oyster Festival.

The hamlet, sitting on a near nine-acre site beside the Lancaster Canal, was home to Guy’s Eating Establishment, Owd Nell’s Canalside Tavern and a 65-room lodge – as well as function rooms and a cricket ground and pavilion.

A statement on its website said: “After 46 years of trading, we can confirm that Guy’s Thatched Hamlet has now closed.

“This has been a difficult decision and one made with considerable thought. We would like to sincerely thank our customers, staff, and suppliers for their loyalty and support over the years.

“The hamlet has meant a great deal to many people, and as it moves through a period of transition, our focus is on bringing this chapter to a close.”

The business has been run by the Wilkinson family since 1980. It was put on the market last year. Substantial offers were invited for a business, with the listing highlighting its £4.7m turnover in 2024.

Marketing material issued by property agents Colliers said: “The business was acquired by our clients over 44 years ago and has since been the subject of extensive refurbishment, adaptation and extensions have been constructed.

“Guy’s Thatched Hamlet is unique and renowned throughout the whole of the North West of England.

“There is a solid year-round trading base, with the food and beverage offering being extremely busy throughout the Summer and Festive periods.

“The letting accommodation attracts a high volume of leisure-based trade which is solidly supplemented by commercial/business trade throughout the entire year.

“The flow of business has been consistent over recent years, with year-end July 2023 showed a Net Turnover of £5,070,904.

“It is felt that due to the extensive hotel and leisure facilities, and its outstanding trading location, that there is considerable potential to further grow the business.”

Fylde MP Andrew Snowden has renewed his call for urgent government action to support pubs and hospitality businesses following the Guy’s announcement.

He said severe economic pressures facing the hospitality sector were behind the closure decision.

Speaking in the Commons last week, the Conservative MP challenged the government to do more to support local pubs and high street businesses.

And he warned that rising national insurance costs and looming business rate hikes are putting many more pubs at serious risk of closure.

Mr Snowden said the government’s announcement of business rates relief for pubs would only help around six per cent of businesses. He added: “For the vast majority, the pain is still coming.”

Speaking after the Guy’s announcement he went on: “The average independent pub will still be paying around £5,300 more in business rates under Labour. That is on top of higher wage bills and higher energy costs. Many simply cannot absorb that.

“There is only so much you can increase the cost of a pint or the price of a pub lunch.”