ONE of Crewe's biggest hotels is closing down for six months as the effects of the pandemic are still being felt on the hospitality sector.

The Crewe Arms Hotel, run by international chain Best Western Hotel under a franchise, was due to close its doors today (Friday) with the last guests checking out.

All online booking has been suspended for the historical Nantwich Road establishment with customers who have booked in the coming months contacted about cancellations.

Staff were said to be in the dark as to what the future holds for the 61-bed hotel opposite Crewe Railway Station, although it is understood the closure is initially only for six months.

The Crewe Arms is said to be one of the oldest railway hotels in the UK. Built in the 1880s it was one of the country's first railway hotels and its celebrity visitors have included Queen Victoria, who had a tunnel built so she could cross to the station out of the public eye, Sir Henry Cooper and Sacha Distel.

Best Western - who have a global network of hotels in around 100 countries - have been contacted for a comment.