UK: Lifestyle membership club Birch, which has two sites open in Cheshunt and Selsdon, has placed both properties into administration.
Birch initially launched in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire in 2020. Backed by Aprirose, the debut property was transformed from the De Vere Theobalds Estate Hotel.
In early 2022, Birch co-founder Chris Penn left the business. In the summer that year, a second location was announced in Selsdon, Croydon. It would be housed a 17th century mansion which previously operated as the Selsdon Park Hotel.
The following year in early 2023, Birch co-founder Chris King confirmed he had also left the business. A new senior management team was appointed to oversee the two sites, including managing director Ayo Akinsete who oversaw the opening of Birch Selsdon in summer 2023.
On Friday 17th November, the Birch Selsdon site was placed into administration by Milan Vuceljic and Andrew Pear of Moorfields Advisory. A statement on the website reads: “The affairs, business and property of the company are being managed by the joint administrators.”
A statement on the Birch Cheshunt website reads: “We deeply regret to inform you that the owners of Birch Cheshunt Theobalds Park Op Co have placed the business into administration and the administrators Teneo are closing the hotel with immediate effect. We are very sad to share this disappointing news and apologise for the obvious distress and disruption to our members, guests, suppliers and the great employees.”
Daniel Smith and Gavin Park from Teneo Financial Advisory were appointed joint administrators on 20 November 2023.
Birch, Moorfields Advisory and Teneo Financial Advisory have been contacted.
