Historic Derby hotel set for revamp under new management
Derby venue, the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, has been given a new lease of life under the management of Lavendish Leisure, which took ownership in May.
The new team, led by experienced hotelier Isuru Akalanka, is revitalising the historic Grade II-listed hotel.
Akalanka, who relocated from Sri Lanka to oversee operations, has temporarily moved into the hotel to immerse himself in the daily rhythm and address needs firsthand.
He said: “I’m staying at the hotel right now because I need to be here to oversee everything. When I start running a new hotel, I like to move in for a while. It is what I do, and it works for me. In the beginning, the hotel was very quiet but there were quite a few things that needed our attention behind the scenes. I also had to recruit a team of
staff and find some top chefs.
Four months later, I can report that we are fully booked most weekends, and this is significant for us. When the hotel is busy with guests and there is laughter in the bar, the whole place comes to life.”
The Cathedral Quarter Hotel offers 38 designed ensuite bedrooms, two bars—Bar 16 and Bogart’s Lounge—and event spaces well-suited for weddings, corporate events, and live performances.
Looking ahead, Akalanka and the Lavendish team plan to introduce live music nights and themed events to make the hotel a social hub for both locals and visitors.
Rashmi Dedigama said: “We are fully aware that the hotel was once a jewel in Derby’s crown, and we intend to do everything we can to put the Cathedral Quarter Hotel back on the map. It is such an iconic building that oozes sophistication and luxury, and we want to celebrate its unique personality.
“Derby needs a boutique hotel like the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, and we are working extremely hard behind the scenes. Peter and I have a portfolio of hotels, but we are excited about this one.”
Originally built in the 19th century, the hotel has retained much of its Victorian charm and architectural detail, including its marble lobbies, alabaster accents, and intricate plaster ceilings.
Parts of its history remain embedded in the building itself, with a preserved police cell and underground tunnels leading to the nearby Magistrates’ Court, recalling its previous life as a police station and council headquarters.
Aklanka continued: “The hotel is stunning, and we want to celebrate everything we have here. We know it will take time but right now we are enjoying an extremely busy period. We still have an old police cell in the hotel and there are tunnels underground which were used to get to the neighbouring Magistrates’ Court. I am pleased to say that a lot of the original décor remains in the boutique hotel, like the impressive marble and alabaster lobby and the ornate plaster ceilings and oak-frame windows in the Opulence restaurant.
“It is a wonderful hotel, and I am determined and delighted to breathe new life into it. We have a lot of plans for the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, which will include some live music events and themed nights.”
