Revived hotels to create more than 120 jobs

Four hotels which went into administration last year are set to re-open.

The North Yorkshire hotels – the Hotel St George in Harrogate, the Royal Hotel, Whitby and the New Southlands and Norbreck hotels in Scarborough – are being revived as part of the Coast & Country Hotel Collection.

This is a newly formed collection of former Shearings Hotels, which is seeking to reinvigorate the hotels’ offering, helping to showcase their amenities and attractive locations.

With all four hotels having gone into administration in May 2020 as part of Shearings Hotels, it was feared they would remain closed indefinitely.

However, under new ownership and following a Hotel Management Agreement with Bespoke Hotels, the Royal Hotel opened briefly last year until the latest lockdown forced the doors to close again.

Now all four  properties are set to reopen as lockdown eases – with an opening date set for 17 May for the Hotel St George, the New Southlands and the Royal Hotel Whitby in accordance with Government guidance, while The Norbreck will open on the 1 June.

As part of their reopening the hotels are looking to recruit heavily within their local communities, with more than 120 jobs on offer across all four properties.

Paul FitzGerald, portfolio managing director, said: “Given the enormous challenges of the last few months, we’re delighted to bring these properties back to market.

“Integral parts of North Yorkshire’s hotel offering, we know their initial closure was felt keenly amongst their respective communities.

“Now though, with reopening plans in place, we’re able to offer not just jobs and wider tourism opportunities, but hospitality services that people can engage with as restrictions lift.

“With the country having been unable to enjoy the delights of hospitality for so long, everyone is eager to enjoy themselves post lockdown, and as people are starting to realise these properties are reopening, we’re already seeing keen interest to book – something that bodes really well for their future success.

“Our renewed focus with reopening is on attracting those seeking leisure breaks and welcoming local residents to sample the restaurants, bars, and wedding and event spaces on offer as we look to restore the hotels to local hero status and develop a close bond with communities.”

The other reopening hotels within the collection are spread across 33 well-established leisure destinations in England, Scotland and Wales.

Planned reopening dates vary depending on location. Most are hoping for 17 May, while others will be opening in June.

Thomas Greenall, managing director of Bespoke Hotels, said: “Coast & Country Hotel Collection is made up of some prominent local hotels in some wonderful and well-established leisure locations and we’re thrilled to be able to facilitate their reopening.

“We know the initial closures of many of these properties caused a real stir in their local communities last year, so we hope they’ll be keen to embrace their reopening and support the individual hotels in their endeavours.

“We hope this will be regarded as a very positive move for the industry – delivering jobs, support for communities and vital trade for suppliers and ancillary businesses.”