Hope flickers for Bunbury's Lighthouse Resort

Lighthouse Beach Resort co-owner Sean Butler is hopeful there will be a buyer for the business soon after a failed sale in February led to receivers being appointed.

Mr Butler told the South Western Times there was a good opportunity to buy into one of the best sites in Bunbury.

‘‘The lights will not go out at the Lighthouse if I have my way,’’ Mr Butler said.

‘‘Over the last eight years we have re-opened over 30 rooms, refurbished another 35, rebuilt the indoor pool area, reopened the restaurant, two bars, and four function rooms, restored the buildings to a point where they are generally in good condition and well maintained and built a business that employs over 40 staff.

Mr Butler described Bunbury as a vibrant, attractive, commercial city with good growth prospects.

‘‘The property still has enormous potential with a ballroom capable of holding over 300 people still to be reopened and sufficient surplus land to add over 100 more rooms,’’ Mr Butler said.

‘‘Issues now facing the Lighthouse hotel are nothing to do with the business itself; it’s all to do with the property ownership, the bank funding and interest rates.’’

Taylor Woodings has been appointed as receivers and managers of Butler Constructions Pty Ltd, which operates the resort.

A spokesman for the firm said Taylor Woodings would ‘‘continue to work actively on preserving the Lighthouse’s iconic status in the Bunbury community’’ and manage the transition to a new owner and manager.

‘‘Taylor Woodings will maintain communication with key stakeholders, including employees, throughout this process,’’ the spokesman said.

Bunbury Mayor David Smith said he was confident the Lighthouse would keep beds open and that the council would ‘‘assist in any way it can’’.