A POPULAR family-owned, four-star resort has been taken over by a new company. 

Potters Leisure Ltd has announced it has bought the Five Lakes Resort in Tolleshunt Knights for an undisclosed sum.

Five Lakes was purchased and transformed by Abraham Bejerano, the proprietor for AB Hotels Ltd, in October 1994.

Mr Bejerano said: “Like us, Potters Resorts is a passionate family business committed to delivering customer excellence.

“It will be sad and emotional to let this fabulous property go as our 27 years of ownership, almost to the date, will always evoke happy and special memories for our family.

“However, we are confident the hotel, our hard-working and loyal employees and our customers are left in capable and caring hands and that John, his family and the management team will take the resort on to bigger and better things.”

John Potter, owner of Potters Resort in Hopton-On-Sea in Norfolk, says he is committed to investing in the infrastructure, facilities and friendly team to be ready to welcome all-inclusive guests to Potters Five Lakes from Easter next year.

Mr Potter said: "Five Lakes is a sleeping giant that will become another jewel within Potters Resorts. 

"Its location is perfect for many of our existing guests and also opens up our unique short breaks offering to a wider London and South-East market. 

"I’m excited to welcome the Five Lakes team into the Potters Resorts family, and in turn, see them all welcoming our happy guests to Potters Five Lakes soon. 

"I am very grateful to the Bejerano family for entrusting Potters with the future of this fantastic asset they have created in the beautiful Essex countryside. 

"We are going to have a lot of fun expanding Potters Resorts and continuing to offer the best and only all-inclusive resorts in the UK."