A North East luxury wedding venue has revealed a significant refurbishment and extension after securing a multimillion-pound funding deal.
Newcastle-based hospitality company The Apartment Group first acquired Whitworth Hall in 2020, amid plans to transform it into a boutique hotel. Based close to Spennymoor, the Grade II-listed mansion which sits within its own private deer park dates back to the mid-17th Century and was the ancestral home of the Shafto family.
Now Develop North Plc, the investment company managed by Newcastle’s fund management specialists Tier One Capital, is supporting the next phase in the transformation of the County Durham characterful wedding venue. The London Stock Exchange listed company has provided a £2.4m funding package to support refurbishment and extension plans at the country house.
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The funding has enabled the venue’s owner, The Apartment Group, to create a new chapel and function suite capable of hosting 125 guests, alongside a complete refresh of the estate’s existing facilities. Works have included upgrades to the reception, entrance and bar areas, as well as the refurbishment of all 34 bedrooms.
The new investment marks the second time Develop North has supported The Apartment Group, following the successful £2m refinance and refurbishment of The Croft Hotel in Darlington in 2024.
Brendan O’Grady, fund manager at Tier One Capital, said: “We’re delighted to once again support The Apartment Group in delivering another stunning North East wedding venue. Whitworth Hall has huge potential, and this investment will enable it to become a premier destination for all-year-round celebrations.
“This project aligns perfectly with Develop North’s strategies to support ambitious businesses and stimulate local economies, while also, in this case, helping to preserve the region’s historic buildings for future generations.”
Stuart Bailey, CEO of The Apartment Group, said: “Whitworth Hall is a magical place, rich in heritage and full of character. With Develop North’s backing, we’ve created something really special that will offer a beautiful and memorable experience for couples and their guests.
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“The continued support from Develop North has been invaluable, and we look forward to delivering another successful venue together.”
The Apartment Group also owns Northumberland venues Newton Hall and Le Petit Chateau, Runa Farm and Lartington Hall, which are both in Barnard Castle, Darlington’s The Croft Hotel and Grand Villa Heights in Ravenscar. The group is known for its portfolio of wedding venues across the North East, and it also owns Collingwood Street bars ChachaBuchi, Howlers and The Social Club, and As You Like It in Jesmond. The company recently sold Nancy Bordello’s to new owners, and its Quayside venue The Cooperage is currently on the market.
Since its inception in 2017, Develop North has supported more than 43 developments with a combined Gross Development Value of over £280m and helped create over 12,000 jobs. To date, the company has deployed almost £90m in capital, with 16 projects in its current live portfolio, more than two-thirds of which are in the North East.
Professional advice was provided to Develop North by LSH, Eddisons and Ward Hadaway, with Hay & Kilner acting for The Apartment Group.