Top Lakeland hotel bought by NW businessman
A ONE of the Lake District’s finest hotels has been bought by a North West businessman in a multi-million pound deal.
Stephen Leahy, owner of the Manchester-based Select Group – which owns data centres and provides engineering services – has bought the luxury Holbeck Ghyll hotel.
The seven-figure deal was funded by The Co-operative Bank. Mr Leahy was advised by Manchester -based business advisers Campbell Woolley.
Holbeck Ghyll, which overlooks Lake Windermere and the Langdale Fells, was built in the 19th Century and boasts 26 luxurious en-suite bedrooms.
The hotel comprises of a main house and in a number of stone-built detached houses and lodges that are situated in the 13-acre grounds.
Holbeck Ghyll is steeped in history – in the late 1890s it was bought as a hunting lodge by one of the richest men in the country, Lord Lonsdale, who bequeathed the famous Lonsdale Belt to boxing.
From the 1920s until the early 1970s it was a private house, and for the last two decades has undergone extensive refurbishment and development that has seen the introduction of a health spa, tennis courts, a boutique store, helicopter landing facilities as well as addition of extra accommodation.
Holbeck Ghyll’s restaurant has been ranked in the top 25 best restaurants in the 2010 UK Good Food Guide and has recently retained its coveted Michelin Star for the 10th year.
The existing management team will remain in place to continue with the day-to-day running of the business, under the expert guidance of Paul Roebuck, who will take on the role of general manager.
Mr Leahy said: “Ever since I was a teenager, when dining out without my parents was a novelty thing, the idea of owning my own hotel/restaurant struck me as a great lifestyle choice, far more fun than engineering.
“So when I decided – 25 years later – to make my foray into the hospitality industry, it had to be to go for the best example of what my local area had to offer, but as a perfectionist I aim to make Holbeck Ghyll even better. Guests coming to this hotel will experience something far more fulfilling than just a hotel and board.”
Andrew Campbell, senior partner at Campbell Woolley who advised on the deal, said: “We have acted for Stephen for more than 20 years and were delighted to advise him on this prestigious acquisition.”
Stuart Fell, senior business development manager at The Co-operative Bank in Preston, said: “We are delighted to be working with Stephen and his team, and we look forward to Holbeck Ghyll’s next exciting chapter.”
