The financial crisis led to an upsurge of interest in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.

There was initial 45 per cent increase in inquiries, as an increasing number of people turned to drink and drugs.

But now the £12 million centre is to close.

Winthrop Hall, in Staplehurst, was built by venture capitalist Jon Moulton and opened in November 2007 with 25 beds, employing 40 staff.

Mr Moulton said: “For a while it was the best centre, but around November, when the rest of the world started having problems, it became obvious we could not attract enough patients to keep it going.”

Its former marketing director, Marco Martinez, said patients came from as far as Mexico and the Middle East. The bill for a six-week residential programme and a year’s aftercare had been £32,000 but was pared down to £4,500 a week.

The hall is for sale and Mr Martinez believes it is only suitable as a clinic or something similar.