Brancaster's The Ship Hotel sold to hospitality group

Brancaster's The Ship Hotel has been sold to a hospitality firm which owns hotels in Norwich and Cambridge.

It was sold to the Chaplin Group for "an undisclosed amount off an asking price of £1.6 million".

The Ship has been run since 2009 by Flying Kiwi Inns, which is headed up by master chef Chris Coubrough, who also owns The Crown Hotel in Wells, which is unaffected by The Ship's sale.

The Chaplin Group owns the Gonville Hotel in Cambridge and the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich. Company director David Chaplin, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to acquire The Ship Hotel. The Ship is already a very successful operation and it will fit well with our Cambridge and Norwich hotels where we appeal to discerning travellers seeking excellent service and elegant surroundings.”

Chris Coubrough said: “It was a pleasure to sell to such a professional set up as David’s has. We have loved our ten years at The Ship and it will always be a special place for my wife and I.”

Simon Jackaman, of leisure property specialists Fleurets which brokered the deal, said: " “Businesses of this quality rarely come to the market, so when this did, we were able to directly approach a number of operators who we knew would be the right type of operator and despite some early competitive bidding, Chaplin Group were the perfect match for this outstanding property.

"The whole transaction from start to finish was concluded very quickly in order for the new owners to fully benefit from the up and coming seasonal trade. It was a pleasure to have acted for Chris, who will now focus all his energy into the Crown Hotel, and I wish both parties all the very best for the future.”

Nine en suite bedrooms were added in 2010 to The Ship, which has been carefully restored and maintained. It can cater for around 100 people seated around a central bar and it also has private dining areas, landscaped gardens and a customer car park.