Revamp set for Lake District hotel following acquisition

A MAJOR refurbishment is planned for a well-known Lake District hotel following its acquisition by a new hotel group.  

The 30-bedroom Stonecross Manor Hotel in Kendal is the first acquisition by H&M Hotels, which is planning to establish a growing chain of hotels of character.

H&M was advised on the acquisition by hotel turnaround and management specialists Onecall Hospitality, which will operate it on its behalf.

Mark Chambers, managing director of Onecall Hospitality, said: “Stonecross Manor Hotel is one of Kendal’s best known hotels and is well loved by locals and visitors to the Lake District alike.

“In recent years it has suffered from a lack of investment. We will be making an immediate start on a refurbishment programme, which will encompass the bedrooms, bar, restaurant and function rooms. The aim is to restore the hotel to its position as a focal point within the community, as a venue for dining out, events and functions and to rebuild the tourist trade.

“It is our ultimate intention that Stonecross Manor Hotel will be the first of a unique collection of hotels of character under the ownership of H&M Hotels.”

Originally built in the 1850s, Stonecross Manor’s location 10 minutes from the M6 and close to the West Coast mainline has made it a popular gateway to the Lake District.

H&M Hotels is a sister company to Everbright Lodge, which owns the Rossett Hall Hotel in Wrexham and recently acquired Wild Pheasant in Llangollen, North Wales.

Stonecross Manor forms part of Onecall’s expanding managed hotel portfolio, which also includes Provincial Hotels and Inns, the new investment company which acquired 11 Lancashire pubs and hotels from Mitchell’s of Lancaster in its first deal last summer.

Mark Worley of Christie & Co acted as agent for the sale of the property.