Romance is in the air at grade II-listed hotel

BOUTIQUE hotel Yorebridge House, voted ‘the UK’s most romantic hotel’ on TripAdvisor, has expanded with the help of bank funding.

The grade II-listed North Yorkshire hotel, which has three AA rosettes, has acquired further property in Bainbridge, Wensleydale to accommodate its staff and expand its offering.

Yorebridge House, which was founded as a hotel in 2006 when current owners Charlotte and David Reilly acquired it, having previously been home to the Yorkshire Dales National Park authorities.

By 2008 the former headmaster’s house and school was transformed, and it now employs 25 staff. Turnover for the year is expected to reach £1.5m.

The buildings themselves were built in 1848 and 1850, and is located on the site of Yorebridge Grammar School which was founded in 1601.

David and Charlotte Reilly, owners of Yorebridge House, said: “We have become renowned for our attention to detail, service and quality and so naturally we recruit the most talented staff we can.

“Our staff are very important to us and we wanted to ensure their comfort by providing quality accommodation close to the hotel giving them a good work/life balance.

“The accommodation has appealed to current local staff that foresee a long career at Yorebridge House giving them opportunity of independence, but also to future staff who see the great employment package we offer as a business.

“Christmas has come early for the team and timing is perfect as we reach one of the busiest periods of the year. Barclays acted swiftly and the purchase completed in just over a month.”

Michael Oliver, business banking manager at Barclays put together the funding package for the deal and said: “We’ve been working with David and Charlotte for over two years now and helped them expand as they introduced new facilities and diversified the business.

“The multi award-winning hotel now offers some of the most amazing accommodation in North Yorkshire and has become a popular wedding destination as well as a romantic getaway.

“The staff accommodation will be a big attraction to employees and they will certainly enjoy all the luxury furnishings and high tech equipment that David and Charlotte have provided.”