Couple take over Cumbria inn thanks to six-figure backing from RBS

L-R Andrew Matley (Royal Bank of Scotland), with Jennifer and Iain Black (new owners at The Sun Inn)

Husband and wife Iain and Jennifer Black have relocated from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to acquire The Sun Inn in the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, with the support of a six-figure investment from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Iain, previously a general manager of hotels and Jennifer with a number of years of front of house hotel experience have bought the 17th Century Inn which nestles between The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

A retirement opportunity led to the couple acquiring this profitable 11-bedroom business, which employ a mixture of 30 part time and full time staff. An award winning restaurant sourcing local produce and local ales, complete with log fires, feature highly attracting an all year round trade.

Day to day, the couple will jointly run the financial and operational side of the business and enjoy getting to know their customers, both residential and non-residential.

Iain Black, co-owner of The Sun Inn, said: “We were at the stage of our lives when owning our first hotel was the right time for us both and we were prepared to relocate within the North West.

“We have built up years of experience within the hotel industry and the location of The Sun Inn swung it for us both as we immediately knew this centrally located boutique inn was the ideal business opportunity for us.

“Andrew at the Royal Bank of Scotland has hand held us through each stage with great professionalism and guided us through the funding process, which was quite complex. We are grateful for the bank giving us this opportunity and we look forward to making The Sun Inn an even bigger success.”

Andrew Matley, senior relationship manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, added: “We are glad Iain and Jennifer approached us for funding as we have enabled them to fulfil their long-term ambition of becoming hotel owners for the first time.

“The Sun Inn has an excellent reputation locally and by doing their homework and research well they have acquired a very profitable business in an ideal location.”

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