New-build Cumbrian hotel, restaurant and pub will create jobs

The owners of a Cumbrian pub have revealed an artist’s impression of how the premises will look after a year-long re-build, which is expected to create 30 jobs.

The existing Golden Fleece Inn, at Ruleholme, near Brampton, is to be demolished with a traditional country pub with state-of-the-art facilities, restaurant, function room, 23 bedrooms and associated facilities rising from the rubble.

The owners want to create an upmarket development to cater for a wide range of local, leisure, business and travel consumers.

They aim to appeal to visitors to both of Cumbria’s World Heritage Sites – Hadrian’s Wall and the Lake District – as well as passengers using nearby Carlisle Lake District Airport, which is set to open for scheduled flights this July.

Clearance work is due to start on-site later this month after the major redevelopment was given the go-ahead by Carlisle City Council. First guests will be welcomed in 2020.

The new premises will create jobs with staffing set to increase to around 40 full-time and part-time roles. The number of guest rooms will expand by 14.

The re-build is the brainchild of Robert and Sylvia Cowan, who have run the Golden Fleece since 2011, and new business partners David and Roweena Corkill.

Mr Cowan said: “We want to retain the warmth and welcome of the old place but upgrade facilities with a wow factor and something this area just doesn’t have. In our view an excellent new facility can have wider benefits to the local economy and attract further tourism.

“We also look forward to welcoming back the many loyal patrons the old Fleece enjoyed looking after.

“We’re very excited about all the possibilities and cannot wait to get started on the build.”

The premises, designed by Carlisle-based architectural practice Ashwood Design Associates, will offer 2,180 sq m of floorspace, have a veranda to two sides, and accommodate parking for 81 vehicles.

Sylvia Cowan, David Corkill, Roweena Corkill and Robert Cowan

As well as fine dining in the restaurant there will also be a more informal area for meals alongside the bar facilities. Other features will include an inglenook fireplace, microbrewery, terraced area, garden and landscaping.

Mr Corkill said: “We think this will be a major benefit for the area. Creating something, not quite Phoenix from the ashes, but something much better than was there before.

“It’s taken a year to get this far. We originally thought we could expand to do more with it, but after looking at all possibilities the best option was to pull it down to create something completely new.”

An auction of the inn’s fixtures and fittings in February attracted buyers from around the world.