Hotel in Northumberland seaside village wound up by HMRC | Chronicle Live

Hotel in Northumberland seaside village wound up by HMRCThe tax authority took action over the Schooner Hotel in Alnmouth amid unpaid debtsCommentsTom Keighley12:23, 22 May 2025Updated

12:57, 22 May 2025The Schooner Hotel on Northumberland Street in Alnmouth.(Image: Google Streetview) The business behind a troubled hotel in a Northumberland village named one of the best

places to visit in the UK has been ordered to be wound up.

Schooner (Alnmouth) Limited, which is linked to the Schooner Hotel on the village's main thoroughfare - Northumberland Street - had been subject to action from HMRC, launched in March.

‌ Now a High Court judge has said the company must be wound up and put in the hands of the official receiver, with its assets going to fund the tax authority's costs.

‌ The prominent, Grade II-listed property is reputed to be haunted and has been marketed as a destination for paranormal enthusiasts.

But in recent years it has faced a string of problems including a rat infestation which led to the forced closure of its bar and kitchen following a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice

served by Northumberland County Council.

In 2023, Mohammed Maten Rohman, who was described as the hotel's owner at the time, was handed a two-year suspended sentence having pleaded guilty to charges brought under fire safety

legislation.

Article continues below Mr Rohman, who had been served four previous enforcement notices between 2009 and 2019, was sentenced for breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and a

breach of an Enforcement Notice served under the same legislation.

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A judge told Mr Rohman he had a "flagrant history" of breaching regulations. The offences related to significant fire safety problems spotted during a routine audit made in June 2021 and

included unsafe emergency exits and escape routes, lack of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, a faulty fire alarm system, inadequate compartmentation between the basement cellar

and ground floor and a lack of staff training.

‌ Following the audit, fire officers issued an Enforcement Notice requiring changes to make the venue safe for guests and employees. But when officers returned months later, the deficiencies

had not been rectified.

Companies House filings for the Schooner (Alnmouth) Limited show accounts and a confirmation statement were overdue.

The business, which is now in liquidation, had faced being struck off the register of companies on two occasions since it was set up in 2016.

Article continues below ChronicleLive has contacted the company for comment.

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