A LEISURE group which owns Haven and Warner Leisure Hotels are now the official owners of Bodelwyddan Castle.

Denbighshire County Council acquired the lease on the Grade II listed castle for less than half the asking price; the trust, which ran the castle, museum and art gallery, had 99 years remaining of a 125-year lease which was valued at more than £1m.

The lease was put up for sale after the trust was forced to close. This followed the loss of its £144,000 council grant.

The council sold the freehold interest in the hotel - next to the castle - to Bourne Leisure (a subsidiary of Warner Leisure Hotels) purchased the freehold interest in the castle.

The company confirmed to the Journal it took official ownership of the build on June 14 and the property will soon undergo a "full refurbishment".

A spokesperson from Bourne Leisure said: “Warner Leisure Hotels has operated Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel since 1994, the year we became the UK’s first adult-only hotel chain - and over the last 26 years we have welcomed over 500,000 guests to stay and enjoy the delights of Denbighshire, supporting jobs and the local economy.

“We’re excited by this opportunity for us to further enhance the site for guests to enjoy.”

Warner owns Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel. The hotel was given a £6 million renovation and awarded a 4* AA award.

Denbighshire County Council said at the time of the sale that they were pleased to be able to help secure the future of such a "prominent popular historic Denbighshire landmark".

The parkland is to stay in public ownership so people can continue to enjoy the grounds surrounding the castle.

Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: "We are grateful to Bourne Leisure’s commitment and drive towards preserving the site and their work to bring together this boost for the economy when they take over the main castle building.”