Simon Rigby plans hotel expansion
ENTREPRENEUR Simon Rigby is planning a £4m expansion at a country house hotel near Blackpool he bought earlier in the year.
The Preston and Manchester-based Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) will design and manage the expansion of The Villa in Wrea Green – with the aim of completing the project ready for the Open Golf Championship in neighbouring Lytham in 2012.
The 25-bedroom hotel and restaurant, near Blackpool, was bought by The Villa (Wrea Green), established by Mr Rigby, pictured, earlier this year.
He also runs green energy firm Farmgen and built up the Leeds-based utilities company Spice. He stepped down from his role at Spice in February but retained a 9% stake that was valued at £22m when private equity firm Cinven agreed a £250m takeover in September.
At the Villa he wants to add a new restaurant and bar, a 500-seat function hall 
and two new wings which will add a further 30-40 rooms. Discussions are ongoing with the local council and a planning application is expected to be submitted within weeks.
He said: “Since buying The Villa in May this year we have been planning how to take the hotel forward. Our aim is to build the reputation of The Villa as one of the best country house hotels in the North West with a level of service, food and comfort to rival anyone.”
Richard McGonigal, the project architect at FWP, said: “Aiming to open the new facilities to take advantage of one of the biggest sporting events to be held in the North West is a commercially sensible and realistic aim.
“Wrea Green is perfectly placed for golf enthusiasts who want to stay a short distance from the tournament and have a venue for corporate entertaining as well as a luxurious place to stay.”
