Jim Parker: Torbay businessman Keith is stepping back... but I suspect he's not finished yet

Keith Richardson has never been too far away from the headlines during an illustrious business career spanning almost four decades in the West Country and Torbay especially in the world of tourism and hospitality.

Never one to be backward when coming forward when controversy knocks on his door, the tough-talking Scouser is no lover of authority whether it comes in the form of bureaucratic red tape, health and safety or the government and politicians.

Hotel and property deals, partnerships with TV celeb chefs which went belly up, financial battles, rows over accommodating asylum seekers and even being involved in trying to buy and run Torquay United,flamboyant Mr Richardson has got the T-shirt, worn it and binned it in so many ways.

But now the 85-year-old boss of Richardson Hotels has decided it is time to slow down and plan for retirement.

Two of the group's hotels have been up for sale - the Falmouth in Cornwall with an asking price of over of £7.5millioin and the Abbey Sands in Torquay (once home to those refugees) for £1.95million .

The Grade II-listed Falmouth hotel has 71-ensuite bedrooms and the two-AA-rosette Castle restaurant and bar, as well as three function rooms and a spa.

The Abbey Sands has 47 bedrooms, with scope to increase the bedroom count to 52. It also incorporates the Riviera restaurant and Lawns lounge bar as well as a 200-capacity ballroom, a second function room and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Mr Richardson was quoted as saying: "I have decided to sell these hotels as part of a retirement strategy. The purchaser of these hotels will inherit excellent staff and I am sure they will continue to look after our staff, guests and these fabulous hotels going forward."

James Greenslade, director of hotel capital markets at Savills, who will market the two properties, said: "These sales represent an excellent opportunity to acquire the freehold interest in two fantastic southwest hotels."

Has he set a date for retirement? "ASAP," says Mr Richardson almost immediately.

He adds: "I want to reduce my responsibilities - trading hotels, I want to reduce that.

"That is the reason behind all this. Life since Covid has changed dramatically. We are on a different planet. It is more difficult - getting staff, management, skilled workers, upper level skilled staff - the whole business environment has gone upside down since 2019 and I cannot see an end to it."

He takes a pop at Bank of England boss Andrew Bailey who insisted there is no 'inflationary pressures' on wages only for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to give millions of workers a pay rise with an increase in the minimum wage from next month that will add more than £250,000 to Mr Richardson's wages bill.

"Where does that come from?" he asks."Running a business is quite difficult. It is made more difficult by politicians doing what I have just said."

A qualified accountant, he has been a property developer for 60 years.

It began in 1963 with a free flat in the North which had two upstairs flats which he rented out. He quickly made a profit and hasn't looked back since. Between the 1960s and 1990s had a portfolio of 200 flats in the Manchester area.

"I bought buildings earmarked for demolition," says Mr Richardson. As for listed and protected buildings, he says: "If buildings are listed people moan about the responsibilities of looking after a listed building. But if it's listed it's easier because society cherishes it."

He seems to have come full circle after those six decades in the property market.

His latest development project is to transform three buildings in Torquay town centre - the listed Old Town Hall, Municipal Chambers and former magistrate courthouse into 35 flats. Selling off the two hotels would obviously help towards financing the developments.

A couple of flats have been sold in the Municipal Chambers development with work yet to start on the two other town centre sites.

He is also in talks with the local authority about building houses at the back of the Grand Hotel - which remains in the Richardson Hotels stable - and current garage area.

"We have done some pre-applications and they are quite enthusiastic," he says.

Further plans to add another level and more rooms to the Grand are in the 'melting pot'. "I am not sure about that," says Mr Richardson.

He has been in the actual hotel business for 35 years - 23 of them in Torbay. Richardson Hotels once had a West Country-wide portfolio of seven hotels - his first was in St Mawes in Cornwall in1988.

He says there has been interest in both the Falmouth and Abbey Sands hotels. But would he ever consider selling the Grand, considered by many to be the jewel in the Richardson Hotels' crown.

Mr Richardson is non-committal but you get the feeling sentiment would never get in the way of business and selling properties. "I do not love things like properties," he says. "I am not sad selling them. They are a means to an end. I have sold some beautiful houses and properties in the past."

He sums it all up by saying: "You go through different phases in life.I have enjoyed all the activities. I am not complaining. I just felt that I wanted to take life easier."

I am not sure Keith Richardson knows the meaning of an 'easier life'. The slippers and cup of tea are still a long way away.