Mystery man to save Healing Manor hotel?
THE owner of Healing Manor is in "advanced talks" with a fellow local businessman to save the restaurant and planned hotel from permanent closure.
But Kash Pungi has confirmed the venue will shut on New Year's Day after admitting he is "not the right person" to run it.
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Healing Manor owner Kash Pungi in happier times, when there were big plans to develop the property into an 11-bedroom hotel
He is hoping it will reopen at some stage next year and in the meantime has pledged to honour the one wedding booked for May. There will be no repeat of last year's New Year's Eve party.
The Grimsby Telegraph broke the news on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk yesterday that the manor would close, after just 17 months in business, after receiving calls to the newsroom.
Healing Manor owner Kash Pungi in happier times, when there were big plans to develop the property into an 11-bedroom hotel.
In a frank interview today, Mr Pungi has spoken of his deep disappointment that he could not make the venue work.
When it opened as a restaurant and bar in July 2008, there were big plans for the Stallingborough Road manor house. They included opening an 11-bedroom hotel and turning the restaurant into a premier eatery for North East Lincolnshire.
However, the hotel never materialised and despite a number of high-profile events, including a Bonfire Night display and last year's New Year's Eve celebrations, Mr Pungi has never had the success he first envisaged.
Mr Pungi – who owns the Bootlegger, Coyote and the Pier venues in Cleethorpes – said the recession had been one of a "number of factors" in his decision.
He said: "I put my heart and soul – and a lot of money – into this, so it was a very difficult decision.
"But if something is not working, you need to know when to stop and reassess things.
"The Manor is a beautiful place and it deserves someone with the right skills and experience to make it work. I don't think I'm the right person."
But he believes the unnamed businessman he is negotiating with, is the man to take the venue forward.
He said:"He has owned hotels before and is experienced in his field."
Mr Pungi said if a deal could not be struck, he may reopen the venue in March, probably as a sports bar.
There remains confusion over the future of Nish Indian Restaurant, which is located within Healing Manor and independently owned.
The owner, Jax Hussain, told the Grimsby Telegraph the restaurant, which is leased from Mr Pungi, would remain open.
Mr Pungi, however, has insisted the entire site will be closing on New Year's Day.
6 Comments
by pete, grimsby
Friday, December 25 2009, 2:18PM
“least this chap gave it a go and admits defeat. but like any buisness there's always going to be obsticle's no matter what the buisness is. poster's, if you think you can do better then please feel free otherwise don't knock mr pungi, he gave it a go and failed and admits to it.”
by winne, Holton-le-Clay
Thursday, December 24 2009, 12:51PM
“Borth my daughters have visited the restaurant and also attended the Bonfire night occasion,
Mr Pungi is quite correct when he says that 'he is the wrong person to run it'
He obviously has no idea about organising a function, The Bonfire Nights events proved this,,it was a total fiasco,,,the whole even geared towards adults rather than children,”
by Staff,, Healing
Thursday, December 24 2009, 12:33PM
“It is a shame that people seem to have such a strong opinion on someone they do not know personally.. I work for Mr Pungi and i am aware that he tried really hard to get parking for the bonfire night but could not get any help. He did pay for the police to help with parking. He would never allow underage drinking. It seem that 99% enjoy and evening and a handful just spoil everything!
It seems that whatever he does (ie the raffle) is met with such negativity. Those houses were rented out and the raffle never took place. how is he supposed to do well when he is shot down before he starts.?”
by mark, clee
Thursday, December 24 2009, 10:49AM
“who won the house in his dodgy raffle eerrrrmmmm. steves about on the money with this character”
by Steve, Clee
Thursday, December 24 2009, 9:58AM
“How long before this guy becomes one of those bankrupts that still drives around in a flash car with wads of cash? If you're not fit to run businesses don't run them! Unde age drinking, firework displays with no parking, zero star restaurants etc etc If all else fails though I'll turn it into a sports bar - in Healing? Get a grip. All dodgy fronts for an allegedly dodgy guy”
by Scout, Clee
Thursday, December 24 2009, 9:53AM
“Even his reataurant tenant doesn't know when it is shutting then. Oh but he may open as a sports bar, in Healing - really? What a baffoon, stick to selling overpriced alcho pops in Cleethorpes (and whatever other 'business' interests you have.”