A growing leisure operator has announced plans to expand its flagship venue, not long after a number of acquisitions.
Northumberland pubs-with-rooms operator The Inn Collection Group has taken over adjoining properties to expand the Bamburgh Castle Inn at Seahouses, Northumberland, in a move that will create 20 new jobs.
The Alnwick based group has snapped up a self-catering property and other buildings, and has outlined plans to develop 18 additional bedrooms.
The scheme envisages rooms with multiple configuration options, with bedrooms and linked rooms to accommodate multi-generational families in response to market demand for support bubble groups looking to holiday together.
The Inn Collection hopes the extension will help it capitalise on a staycation boom during the coronavirus pandemic.
Managing director of The Inn Collection Group Sean Donkin said: “I am delighted not only that we have been able to acquire the properties alongside The Bamburgh Castle Inn, but that this investment will generate much-needed jobs and valuable trading opportunities in these difficult times.
“The Bamburgh Castle Inn attracts overnight visitors into the Seahouses area all year round, who bring with them vital spend that goes directly into the local economy.
“Expanding our offering will be a real boost in terms of job creation but also through increased trading for partners including food and drink producers and suppliers, to tourism operators and local retailers - not just in the busy summer months, but critically out of season.
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“In response to Covid and post-Brexit we are seeing increased demand for staycations and enquiries from families looking to holiday together in their social bubbles when it is safe for them to travel.
“Furthermore, they are also looking to enjoy outdoor activities and open air experiences such as walking and cycling.
“Our central location in the heart of the town centre is well-served by public transport links while we are a Welcome Port on the Northumberland Coast Path and on the Coast and Castles Cycle Route, so we’re ideally placed for sustainable, car-free holidays and are working closely with partners including the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Visit Northumberland and Cycle Northumberland to promote this.
“By giving people choice and flexibility we are responding to customer demand while providing a viable and sustainable alternative to aparthotels by maintaining a strong food offering using local providers and creating further employment opportunities in our kitchen and front of house teams.”
The investment in The Bamburgh Castle Inn is expected to create up to 20 new full and part time jobs.
It marks a strong start to 2021 for the group, which made a number of acquisitions across the region and beyond last year, ending 2021 with the acquisition of The Angel Inn at Bowness in the Lake District, bringing The Inn Collection Group’s estate of freehold sites to 19.