The Bay Prince of Wales Hotel in Berkeley has permanently closed after its owners the Specialist Leisure Group collapsed into administration yesterday.

The company operated hotel businesses including Coast and Country Hotels, Country Living Hotels as well as Bay Hotels.

A statement on the Prince of Wales Facebook page read:"The Prince of Wales is now closed and will not reopen.

"It’s a very sad time for all concerned not just at the Prince but up and down the country in all of our hotels, offices, interchanges and all those involved in the transport side of the business.

"Melanie the General Manager would like to thank all the staff for their continued support and understanding during what’s been the most difficult time and for all their hard work and dedication over the years and would also like to thank our guests and customers for your support, business and kind words and thoughts that you’ve extended to us. We can only hope that who ever is the next proprietor of The Prince of Wales looks after it as we did for many years."