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.

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.