TAUNTON'S prestigious Castle Hotel has undergone a management restructure following the departure of the managing director.

Marc MacCloskey decided the time was right to move on after seven and a half years at the town centre establishment.

Chairman Nick Chapman will take on the MD role supported by head chef Liam Finnegan, while a new hotel manager is due to start next month.

Castle director Kit Chapman, his son Nick's predecessor as chairman, said: "Marc's done a terrific job. I've really enjoyed working with him.

"He knows the business extremely well, but he decided he wants to take a break to consider his future.

"We're restructuring the way we operate a little bit. Nick is driving the business with Liam. The hotel is evolving."

Mr MacCloskey arrived at The Castle in January 2012 to take on the post previously occupied by Kevin McCarthy.

The former has worked in the past with a number of top hotel companies, including Hyatt International, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

He was also a member of the opening team for the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin, and in 2007 fitted out, opened and ran the independently-owned Lisloughrey Lodge, a 50 bedroom, luxury boutique hotel in Cong.