More than 90 jobs have been lost as the parent company of Stockport's landmark hotel and country club Bredbury Hall announced it has gone into administration.
Newco Ventures Ltd entered the insolvency process on Friday, the Manchester Evening News reported.
One former employee spoke of the impact lockdown restrictions have had on the venue - and the wider hospitality sector - in a widely-shared Facebook post.
Sam Hunter wrote: "Devastating news today that myself and all my colleagues have been made redundant and Bredbury Hall will not reopen its doors.
"Some amazing memories working for this company, and incredibly hard to say goodbye.
"I hope in years to come when we look back on this pandemic and the effect and stress the hospitality industry has faced - I hope we remember that it isn’t just jobs lost or businesses closed.
"In fact - it’s peoples careers, people’s families, their retirement funds and their hopes and dreams that have been taken away through no fault of their own.
"Years and years of our lives committed to the industry we love, for some of us our first jobs and for some of us a home from home.
"Raise a glass tonight for us - as we’re one business in one county in one part of the country - this is happening all over the country to businesses and staff in our sector."
Wedding clients have also been left in the lurch by the news.
One bride-to-be named Adele told the M.E.N she had only learned of the news on social media.
"It's an extremely stressful time for all us brides to be," she said.
"I myself stand to lose £1,250 and others even more.
"The thing that angers me most is that we were kept in the dark and had to find out through Facebook via staff who had been made redundant that day!"
The hotel has remained shut since the national lockdown was imposed in March, with most staff placed on furlough.
Administrators at business advisory firm FRP said it had experienced trading difficulties before closing that had resulted in increased creditor arrears and financial pressure.
"As a result of these inherent pressures, the hotel was unable to reopen after lockdown restrictions were eased and an appointment of administrators was made," they said.
The firm is now seeking a buyer for the 148-room, three-star hotel.
The venue was previously bought out of administration in 2015 by Bangladesh businessman Golam Sarwar, co-director of Newco Ventures Ltd, and underwent an extensive refurbishment.
Its facilities include a Marco Pierre White-branded restaurant which opened last summer, a fitness centre and a 16th century barn that has been converted into a nightclub.
Anthony Collier, joint administrator and partner at FRP, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has put incredible pressure on hospitality businesses across the country as domestic and international travel is severely restricted.
"As trading operations have already ceased, we will be taking steps to market the hotel for sale in its current form.
“We have a team on-site and working remotely to engage with and assist all the affected staff through this difficult time. We would encourage any interested parties in the business to come forward as soon as possible.”
Customers, suppliers and buyers or interested parties are asked to contact BredburyHall@frpadvisory.com.
