A LONG-standing hotel and guest house group in north Norfolk faces a decision over its future in the New Year.It follows the winding up of the limited company, part of the association, which has been running for 30 years.

A LONG-standing hotel and guest house group in north Norfolk faces a decision over its future in the New Year.

It follows the winding up of the limited company, part of the association, which has been running for 30 years.

When it began with just a half a dozen members in the 1970s the North Norfolk Hotel and Guest House Association aimed to raise standards, boost marketing and provide mutual support over rules and regulations.

But from an 80-plus membership at its height, numbers have fallen over the past five years to around 30.

A board meeting agreed to wind up the limited company formed in 1997 to protect the association and

its members against any legal

action.

But a decision on the association itself would be made in the New Year said chairman John Pugh, who runs the Mill Common House bed and breakfast in Ridlington near North Walsham.

Other groups such as Norfolk Tourism and the North Norfolk Tourism Round Table were now doing the promotional and support work.

And the internet had also changed the way people made inquiries and bookings. But there was still a need for a voice for hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, to be fed into those groups, he added. “It is sad the limited company is in the process of being wound up,” said Mr Pugh.

“We were advised that case law had changed the level of protection it used to provide. It could live on.

“Losing it would weaken the group.”