Lakes couple retire for a second time

A LAKE District couple have retired for a second time after selling their Laurel Bank guest in Keswick.

Margaret and Rodney Roper previously ran Rickerby Grange near Keswick and sold up in 2004 but decided to return to the hospitality trade by acquiring Laurel Bank.

The property, which has five guest rooms and owners’ accommodation, has been bought by Gary and Susan Lovatt for £565,000.

Haydn Spedding, associate director at Colliers International in Manchester, acted for the Ropers on both sales.

He said: “This is the second time that Rodney and Margaret have retired from the hospitality industry. I sold their previous business Rickerby Grange more than 12 years ago but they missed their visitors so much that they returned to acquire Laurel Bank in 2004.”