Liverpool property developers and hotel bosses Lawrence and Katie Kenwright have been declared bankrupt.
The husband and wife team behind the Signature Living brand, which opened a host of well-known hotels, apartment blocks and wedding venues in Liverpool and Merseyside, received the order at Liverpool County Court on January 30, according to the government's individual insolvency register.
Signature Living were best known for their vibrantly designed, party-themed Liverpool hotels including The Shankly and Dixie Dean Hotels in Victoria Street and 30 James Street in the former home of the Titanic's White Star Line headquarters.
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After expanding to cities including Cardiff and Belfast, the property and hotel group ran into financial difficulties. In 2019 they placed their most well known hotels – The Shankly and 30 James Street – up for sale.
Problems mounted in 2020 as the Covid-19 lockdowns hit, with a number of individual companies within the Signature group entering administration, owing tens of millions of pounds.
The married couple have now both been handed bankruptcy orders.
Bankruptcy is a way for individuals to deal with debts that they cannot pay. The process means that a person's assets are shared amongst those they owe money to and allows them to make a fresh start free from debt.
When a bankruptcy order is made, whether on a creditor or debtor's petition, the order automatically becomes a public record.
According to the government insolvency register, property developer Lawrence Kenwright was declared bankrupt on January 30, 2024. The bankruptcy will be automatically discharged on January 30, 2025.
The case was heard at Liverpool County Court on January 30.
On the same day, a bankruptcy order was also handed to Mr Kenwright's wife, Katie Kenwright. Again this order will last for a year, with Ms Kenwright discharged automatically from bankruptcy on January 30, 2025.
The ECHO has approached representatives of the Kenwrights for a response.
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