A POPULAR Powys hotel often frequented by celebrities has rebuffed suggestions it is closing despite being forced to shut the doors of its flagship new restaurant.

Caer Beris Manor Hotel, in Builth Wells, launched Teulu – its rebranded restaurant which had aspired to earn the manor a Michelin star – earlier this year.

But, after just a few months, the owners have announced that the restaurant has been forced to close and they will now be running as a bed and breakfast only – all because of mounting costs and bills amidst the energy crisis.

The Southwick family have already dealt with several mini crises since taking on the historic manor house in 2019 – including staying afloat during a recession and pandemic… and literally staying afloat, following flooding issues.

Despite the latest setback, the family insist they are not jumping ship.

“We’d like to pop on here to clarify to our dear guests and locals that we are absolutely not closing down,” the manor said in a post on its Facebook page on Friday.

“This journey has certainly thrown us some curve balls since taking over the manor at the end of 2019 just before Covid, but we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a great family and team behind us and we are still standing and still as in love with the manor as we ever were.

County Times: Jamie Tully, from Builth, had returned to his home town earlier this year to lead the new Teulu venture at Caer Beris Jamie Tully, from Builth, had returned to his home town earlier this year to lead the new Teulu venture at Caer Beris

“As you can imagine, during this current economic crisis, with costs of food and utilities not only doubling but tripling (and continuing to do so), we can't keep raising prices as, ultimately, it’s the customer who pays the highest price when it comes to the restaurant.

“We’re incredibly proud of the achievements (we’ve) had with the success of Teulu, but even with a packed restaurant and awesome reviews, it just cannot be saved with what’s happening in the country right now.

“It’s yet another tough time for us as it is for so many, but we want to say this loud and clear – we are not closing.

“The hotel will run as a B&B for the foreseeable future and we are always open for locals to pop in for a drink or a cuppa. There are numerous dining options in and around Builth Wells and we are so happy to be able to support these businesses.

“We’ve survived Covid, flooding and more, and we are confident that we will see through this economic crisis and will continue through with the smiles and warm welcome you know and love.

“Thank you for your continued support and we will contact anyone affected by the closure of the restaurant. Weddings, groups and Christmas will remain as is.”

It’s a sad demise for a venue which, just a few months ago, had totally revamped its main restaurant, rebranding as Teulu and showing ambition to put Builth on the map, under the guidance of globetrotting chef Jamie Tully. Builth boy Jamie had returned home after rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, including being a private chef to Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai and one of the world’s richest men.

It was Jamie who first revealed that Teulu – launched in July with a 12-course taster menu across two evenings with the likes of Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones and Welsh television presenter Sian Lloyd invited – was being forced to close.

“It’s with huge upset and heartbreak that due to the energy crisis Teulu Restaurant will be closing as of tomorrow,” Jamie – who had returned to where he worked as a commis chef early in his career, with the aim of making Caer Beris a food destination – wrote on his own Facebook page on October 14.

“I’ve poured everything into this venture and I am very proud of everything we have achieved as a team at Teulu Restaurant in just the 6 months we have been open.

“I want to thank all the customers for their support and all the staff at Caer Beris Manor for all their hard work. I will take some time to process all that is happening and make moves for the next steps.”