GET THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM ACROSS SOMERSET STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The owner of a cliff-top hotel in West Somerset has announced it will close at the end of September.

The Blue Anchor, at Blue Anchor near Minehead, has faced an uncertain future after deep cracks appeared in the site's grounds in March, leading to fears the hotel could crumble.

Cara Strom, the owner-manager of the popular venue, even went as far as creating a DIY seawall to protect the cliff from falling into the sea.

Watch the video above, captured in March, to see the perilous hotel on the cliff.

(Image: SWNS)

But she has decided to call time on The Blue Anchor, saying the threat of further erosion means she's unable to invest in the property.

She added it was a "difficult decision" to close as she cannot currently see a long-term future for the building.

But she says she will continue to live in the property for as long as it is safe to do so.

Cara Strom said: "When I returned to The Blue Anchor just over a couple of years ago, there was always a five-year plan to run the business and invest in the premises.

"It was always hoped that during that time we would be able to move forward with dealing with the coastal erosion problem.

(Image: SWNS)

"I have a business and a building that needs re-investment.

"I have watched what is happening with the cliff since the land slip in March and financial common sense has prevailed.

"How can I make further investment when I do not know whether it will be there by this time next year?"

She claimed there has been a lack of action and communication by West Somerset Council over any possible help in protecting the property.

(Image: Blue Anchor Hotel)

She said the closure would happen before the winter - normally a quieter time for the hotel and a period when investment in the building would take place.

She continued: "Overall trading levels have been far above expectations, but being such a seasonal business we still lose money during the winter months.

"More importantly the winter is a time where we can do the essential work on the building using money that I would need to borrow then pay back in the long term.

"I simply cannot do this with such uncertainty in the building's future.

(Image: The Blue Anchor)

A spokeswoman for West Somerset Council previously said the authority had attempted to secure a protection scheme.

She said: “Over a number of years West Somerset Council had put in resources to bid for funding towards a coastal protection scheme in Blue Anchor.

“The aim of the scheme was to provide protection to The Blue Anchor Hotel and subsequently to other properties.

“The bid to the Environment Agency failed in 2014 with a number of issues being identified that were unmanageable for West Somerset Council as the coastal protection authority.

“These issues largely related to level of evidence required by the Environment Agency.”

Cara said she was proud to have turned around the business to a thriving one. She paid tribute to its hard working staff.

"None of the miraculous turn around could have been done without my wonderful team here who I cannot thank enough and wish them all the best of luck in finding new employment", she said.

"I would also like to thank the many regulars for their support over the past two years."

Got a West Somerset story to share? Email me at michael.taylor@reachplc.com or call 01935 709742.

Want more news?

To keep up to date with our latest news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter .

Find our Bath Facebook page here or Somerset's can be found here .

Alternatively, follow us on Twitter - @BathLive and @SomersetLive .