A FORMER 19th century guesthouse in Somerset has been sold to a local couple who already have the business in their blood.

The Old Rectory, a closed guesthouse in the coastal village of Brean, has been sold through specialist business property advisor Christie & Co.

The building is situated 150 yards from the seven-mile stretch of Brean Sands beach and the National Trust-managed Brean Down headland, on a one-acre plot of private walled garden which overlooks the medieval church of St Bridget and the open countryside to the rear.

There are a total of 20 guest bedrooms, two of which are located in the main house, which dates back to 1835.

The property also features a conservatory, used as a guest bar and dining area, which opens out onto a large garden, along with a large owner’s flat.

Prior to closing in March 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, the business was a successful bed & breakfast operated by Wendy Nash and her late husband since 2012.

The new owners, Mark and Diana Perrett, are based locally in Bleadon and hold a strong affinity to the property, as Mark’s father and step-mother ran the business prior to the Nash family taking it on.

Wendy Nash said: “It has been a pleasure to run the guesthouse with Stuart over the past nine years but I am now looking forward to enjoying a relaxing retirement, with confidence that the new owners will take care of the property and help it grow.

"I wish them all the best for the future.”

Mark and Diana Perrett commented: “We are delighted to bring The Old Rectory back into the family once again and look forward to improving and building on the existing offering.

"The current lockdown restrictions allow us the perfect opportunity to carry out needed improvements.

"One of the first things on the list is to replace the children's play area and carry out various maintenance to the grounds and fish pond.

"We are also looking to rebrand and have already had a new logo designed, set up an online booking system and associated website.

"We aim to open as soon as we are able in whatever format that is allowed, and early indications are via the food offering outside in our lovely gardens.

"Once fully reopen, we intend to extend hours for the bar, and in time look to offer evening meals.”

Funding for the Perretts' purchase of the business was secured by Gary Boyce, director in Christie & Co’s sister company, Christie Finance.

Boyce said: “Mark and Diana Perrett were seeking a lifestyle change and as a result of Mark’s father and step-mother previously owning The Old Rectory, it presented an exciting proposition to bring the business back within the family.

"We were able to overcome funding challenges by focusing on their strong and relevant transferrable skillsets, which I’m sure will stand them in good stead and help grow the business."

Nicholas Calfe, director in Christie & Co’s hospitality team, added: “I am very pleased that we were able to facilitate a smooth and relatively swift sale for the previous owner Wendy, against a backdrop of Covid-19, which has been a challenging period.

"The timing of launching of The Old Rectory was perfect for our buyers.

"It seemed like fate that brought the property back into the same family, who ran it many years before.”

The Old Rectory was sold on a freehold basis, off a guide price of £750,000.