A SPA and leisure suite at a prestigious Oswestry hotel will close on December 31 because of soaring energy costs, bosses have told members. 

The Wynnstay Hotel Spa & Leisure Suite, based at the Wynnstay Hotel in Church Street, informed members of the closure in an email, which has been seen by The Advertizer. 

The move, which sources close to staff say has left them shocked, will go ahead at the end of the year.

The email was sent to members by Kevin Charity, chief executive officer of The Coaching Inns Group, which owns the Wynnstay. 

He said: "It is with great regret that I am writing to make you aware that we are preparing to cease the operation and closing the Spa and Leisure Facilities here at the Wynnstay Hotel on December 31, 2022.

"Soaring energy prices and other costs have resulted in the facility making a loss for some time. 

"We have investigated other possibilities, including turning off or time-limiting certain items ie the steam room, jacuzzi, and sauna, but this still does not reduce costs sufficiently to make a difference.

"The other option would be to increase membership subscriptions.

"However, to get to a break-even position this would result in fees being untenable for most members.

"We have also investigated other options to avoid having to make this decision but regrettably these are just not viable.

"We will be in further contact regarding your membership in respect of fee payments and refunds but, in the meantime, if you have any urgent queries then please send them to the following email address membership@innmail.co.uk"

Mr Charity said there are plans to review the decision next year, and insisted it was taken with 'heartfelt consideration.

He said: "Please be assured this is a decision that we have not taken without heartfelt consideration, yet feel it is very much our only option at this time.

"We will review this situation in the spring/summer 2023."

Prior to the Group taking the decision to close the leisure facility, it had committed to modernising the former coaching inn, which has been part of Oswestry since the early 18th century. 

The business has a number of planning applications placed in front of Shropshire Council for new signs across the frontage of the hotel, which faces Church Street.