STOKENCHURCH'S historic Kings Hotel  has been hit with a court 'winding up order'. 

Kings Hotel currently remains closed as its owner sues the insurer for losses caused by a huge fire.

The 16th century coaching inn on Oxford Road was gutted by a huge blaze in 2021, which quickly spread from the kitchen of the newly renovated building to the roof.

Now, an order has been made to the operator of the hotel and wedding venue Kings Hotel Trading Ltd to be wound up by the court under the provisions of the Insolvency Act 1986.

This essentials means the court has decided King Hotel Ltd cannot pay their debts.

An officer of the court ('official receiver') will be put in charge of winding-up the company and the company's bank account will usually be frozen.

It was last reported that the owner of the hotel and wedding venue, Stokenchurch Property Ltd and its operator, Kings Hotel Trading Ltd are suing their insurer over the fire.

They claim UK Insurance Ltd breached its policy by refusing to compensate them for losses caused by the fire.

Last month, a spokesperson for the Kings Hotel said: “The insurance company has not concluded its investigations and has not accepted liability for the disaster. No payments have been made to the business.”

Local resident Matthew Jennings said: "The village feels in limbo still.

"This hotel is/was the heart of the village. Many people's memories exist within the burnt out shell. Weddings, baptism parties even friendships formed.

"We got married in Land End Church and my wife's family stayed here, with her, the night before our wedding.

"It will take a miracle for it to reopen as a hotel again.

"Being part of the Parish Council we will try and influence the situation in any way we can."