Albion managed funds backed the acquisition of the hotel in January 2005 and since then invested £3.1 million in the 37-bedroom hotel.

As a result of the sale, Albion Venture Capital Trust, Albion Prime VCT and Healthcare & Leisure Property have received a return of just over one and a half times their investment, according to a statement from the firm.

Albion is a venture capital investor who specialise in VCTs and invests between £1 and £10 million in a diverse range of sectors.

Partner at Albion , Henry Stanford, comments, ‘We are delighted to have played our part in restoring the hotel to its former glory and it has also generated a pleasing return for our fund.’

Shepherd Neame is a family controlled brewer based in Faversham, Kent, that traces its origins to 1698. The company brews ales including Spitfire and Bishops Finger, and owns and operates more than 360 pubs and hotels throughout the South East of England.