The White Horse Hotel, Romsey sold after money laundering inquiry

The White Horse Hotel has been sold to the RedCat Pub Company and will be operated by The Coaching Inn Group.

But up until 2019, it was at the centre of an eight-year investigation into money laundering.

The National Crime Agency had uncovered a network that saw hundreds of millions of pounds transferred through more than 100 bank accounts held globally including in the UK, Russia, Hong Kong and Switzerland.

The White Horse Hotel & Brasserie

The haul was recovered from three defendants through a complex civil investigation involving Romsey businessman Jonathan Nuttall.

Now, the 600-year-old former coaching inn, which has been extended to provide accommodation, will be given a new lease of life.

Kevin Marsh, head of licensed leisure at Savills which facilitated the sale, said: "The demand for well-located pub and hospitality assets continues to be robust and this latest transaction shows great confidence in the market.

"The asset received interest from a wide range of buyers and we are delighted to complete a deal with RedCat.”

The Grade II Listed building provides 29 en-suite letting bedrooms with extensive bar, restaurant, private dining and lounge space.

The White Horse Hotel in Romsey

The stables have been developed to provide a large function facility for 100 guests.

It has a dominant position in Market Place surrounded by a number of other historic buildings including Romsey Abbey.

Following the conclusion of the NCA's investigation in 2019, the hotel operated under a property management company, appointed by the NCA’s Trustee.

At the time, town centre manager, Mark Edgerley, said it was “distressing to see such a key Romsey business closed”.