Exmouth’s Imperial Hotel is one of four former Shearings venues set to reopen.

The seafront hotel is one of four which make up the Coast and Country Hotel Collection having gone into administration in May last year.

It was feared they would remain closed indefinitely. However, under new ownership and following an agreement with Bespoke Hotels, the properties are now set to reopen as lockdown eases – with an opening date set for Monday, May 17, for The Imperial in accordance with Government guidance.

As part of their reopening, the hotel is looking to recruit heavily within their local communities, creating more than 120 jobs on offer across the four properties.

Paul FitzGerald, portfolio managing director, said: “We know their initial closure was felt keenly amongst their respective communities.

“Now though, with reopening plans in place, we’re able to offer not just jobs and wider tourism opportunities, but hospitality services that people can engage with as restrictions lift.

“With the country having been unable to enjoy the delights of hospitality for so long, everyone is eager to enjoy themselves post lockdown, and as people are starting to realise these properties are reopening, we’re already seeing keen interest to book.”

Thomas Greenall, managing director of Bespoke Hotels, said: “Coast & Country Hotel Collection is made up of some prominent local hotels in some wonderful and well-established leisure locations and we’re thrilled to be able to facilitate their reopening.

“We know the initial closures of many of these properties caused a real stir in their local communities last year, so we hope they’ll be keen to embrace their reopening and support the individual hotels in their endeavours.

“We hope this will be regarded as a very positive move for the industry – delivering jobs, support for communities and vital trade for suppliers and ancillary businesses.”

As part of reopening, Coast & Country has sought to actively re-employ previous staff, whilst also looking to offer new roles to those keen to join the hospitality industry and provide much needed jobs for people across the UK.