The Sefton Group hopes to complete the sale of the Castle Mona Hotel next month.

Sefton boss Brett Martin insisted the sale was going ahead as planned but admitted matters had taken a little longer than hoped. Completion is now due to take place in January.

Mr Martin said a confidentiality clause meant that he could not give the name of the potential buyer.

He said: ’We are in active discussions to finalise matters. You can never say a building has been sold until completion.

confidentiality

’It’s taken a little longer than hoped. Unfortunately I can’t name the buyer at this stage. In the sale particulars there is a confidentiality undertaking on our behalf.’

It was announced in October that the former Castle Mona hotel had been sold at auction.

It was sold to an island-based developer for a sum that ’substantially’ exceeded the £1m reserve price, said Simon Riggall of London-based auctioneers Lambert Smith Hampton.

But the identity of the new owner has yet to be revealed.

The historic landmark had been due to go under the hammer in July but was taken out of the auction catalogue after an offer in excess of the guide price was received.

It was described as a ’development opportunity’ by the auctioneers.

The site includes the 98-bed hotel with historic double height ballroom and dining/function rooms, together with a bowling alley and two nightclubs.

Built as the residence of the 4th Duke of Atholl in 1804, the hotel was closed suddenly by its previous owners in December 2006.

It was acquired by the Sefton Group two months later.

Plans to turn it into a four-star hotel came to nothing and it was mothballed.

It was put on the market in 2011.

Reports of inspections of the Castle Mona carried out in 2012 and 2013 were released by government following a Freedom on Information request in October.

They highlight concerns over the condition of the registered building, particularly in relation to problems caused by a leaking roof. One report states: ’The current condition of the interior might appear to be far worse than is actually the case. The condition of the building has not deteriorated dramatically, but it is deteriorating and this will naturally accelerate with time and a continued lack of maintenance.

’The top floor looks the worst as carpets have been taken up as they were holding water, further sections of ceiling are down and finishes are hanging off the walls, no doubt a result of water penetration.’