Sixty jobs look set to go after a hotel in the North shut down without warning.
The Bohill Hotel and Country Club went into receivership amid claims of crippling bills for repair work and fitness suite equipment.
Staff were in tears as they left the 38-bedroom complex in Coleraine, Co Derry. Management was unavailable for comment as it helped escort customers from the premises.
One receptionist said: "We are all shocked and disappointed. This was out of the blue.
"Right now everything is being closed down. We had a one-night stay for people attending a conference, but those who were coming tonight have been turned away."
As a receiver from Belfast-based chartered accountants ASM Horwath carried out the closure, an Assembly member for the area hit out at tourism chiefs for not offering more support.
East Derry MLA Mr John Dallat said: "I don't ever want to see scenes like that again. We're looking at 60 jobs going in what is supposed to be the number one resort area. I don't know how so many hotels in what is supposed to be the North's top tourist area have gone.
"The Northern Ireland Tourist Board should be at the Bohill to see what is going wrong."
However, even though trade at the hotel was described as steady, it is understood that a £45,000 bill for roof repairs and a gym refurbishment had dealt a heavy blow.
- (PA)