BOOKINGS at the soon-to-close Madison Hotel may not yet need to be cancelled, says the manager James Lloyd.

E-mails were sent out by the reception team at the Oxford Road hotel to those with bookings last Thursday, which said the site would close on June 20 and any future bookings would be cancelled.

However, as the situation regarding the hotel’s future begins to stabilise, it has now been made clear by Licensed Solutions, which manages the Madison, that all bookings affected will be taken to other venues across Swindon for negotiations on a rearrangement.

Mr Lloyd, a senior hotel case manager at Licensed Solutions, said: “The bookings are all being re-homed.

“They will be fulfilled and we will look to negotiate on their behalf.

“We want there to be minimal heartache for those affected by this news.”

It is not yet clear who will be affected by the closure of the hotel, which has been sold to an unnamed developer by London owners Mountain Capital.

Despite the brief e-mail to bookers with June 20 cited as the final day of business, it has now been made clear no date has been established, but it is not expected to be beyond the end of this month.

James said: “We would be looking at pinning down an official date by the end of next week.

“Just because the sale of the hotel has been agreed in principle doesn’t mean it’s a done deal.

“It’s not like buying a house with a simple exchange of contracts. There will be an announcement soon, but in the meantime, we have to put the staff on notice.

“It would be unfair to them for us not to.”

The 30 staff at the hotel were dealt the news of their future last Monday.

They are likely to receive some support in finding new work, but no guarantees have been offered.

James said they had taken the news well in he circumstances, and they would be consulted on any new developments in the coming weeks.

He said the hotel had been sold as a site, which means it will be open to alternative use, if necessary.

Mountain Capital had been trying to sell the building for some time before this deal was brokered.

  • If you have been affected by the news the Madison is closing contact the Adver’s news desk on 01793 501800