Insider Media Limited

The sale of Warwickshire's prolific Belfry golf resort could bring a round of "fresh investment" for the West Midlands, Louise Bennett of the region's chamber has told Insider. Bennett's comments came as property agency Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels was appointed to market the 550-acre resort which is expected to attract "significant international interest".

It was thought world-renowned business, golf and leisure resort The Belfry would put itself up for sale in December last year as the true depths of its debts were revealed.

Sources claim the site, owned by Irish-based businessman Sean Quinn Junior, owes more than £105m.

The resort includes a 324-bedroom hotel, three golf courses which have hosted four Ryder Cups and numerous European Tour events, extensive corporate conference and meeting facilities, a spa and newly refurbished Health & Wellness leisure club, on-site nightclub and the headquarters of the PGA.

Nigel Gray, managing director for The Belfry, said: "We can confirm that new owners are being sought for The Belfry and we are extremely confident this will prove to be successful.

"The Belfry is very much an international brand both for the hotel and conference side of the business as well as the golf operation which is world renowned. Just last year it was named England's Leading Golf Resort at the World Travel Awards.

"We are very confident that a sale will be realised and allow The Belfry to continue to develop and grow."

It is thought that overseas interest will be high.

"We expect significant international interest to be attracted among buyers from across the globe as investors bid to secure this rare opportunity," said George Nicholas, of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

"Furthermore, we are already seeing interest being expressed from across the globe, particularly from Asia where investors are seeking to capitalise on the relatively low British Pound."

Rumours began to circulate at the end of 2011 about the resort's future after business advisory firm Ernst & Young was appointed to 'look at its options' going forward.

It was bought by Irish investors The Quinn Group in 2005 for £186m, an investment company which currently faces financial ruin; leaving the Belfry in the hands of the Anglo-Irish Bank and US insurance firm Liberty Mutual.

Previous speculation suggested an unnamed Malaysian investor had submitted a £90m offer for the Belfry, which was not confirmed.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, told Insider: "The Belfry is a truly international name which contributes to the regional economy through sport, business and leisure. It has maintained that profile over several decades and I am sure it will continue to do so under new ownership, which often in these cases brings fresh investment.

"Coventry and Warwickshire has several tourist and leisure businesses and destinations which are well known across the world and contribute to the image of the region as well as our economy."