Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has sold the former White Rose Hotel in Askrigg, a village in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Following the completion of the sale, the venue has now been re-named and re-branded The Middle House, Pub | Dining | Hotel.
The hotel has been purchased by Complete Hospitality, an expanding hotel group who have made the White Rose their first purchase. Directors, John Teasdale and Mervyn Parrish, have significant experience in the hotel sector, with John being local to the village and well known throughout the area.
Boasting 12 bedrooms along with a bar, games room and orangery restaurant overlooking the garden, this popular hospitality business is a focal point of the village and regularly frequented by locals and tourists alike.
The property has already gone through the first phase of an extensive refurbishment programme, including an upgrade of all guest bedrooms, redecoration of the reception and restaurant areas and a significant transformation to the bar area.
John Teasdale of Complete Hospitality says: “Located in the ‘middle’ of the thriving village of Askrigg, the venue now offers great food and drinks, comfortable accommodation and the very best of Yorkshire Hospitality.
“We have received amazing support and feedback from the local community, and we want to provide them and visitors with a cosy and comfortable place to have a pint of local beer, eat some tasty locally sourced food and enjoy great company. Our plan is to sympathetically refurbish the entire building and create a venue everyone can enjoy.”
Handling the sale for Christie & Co was Mark Worley, Director – Hotels North, who says: “We are delighted to have assisted John and Mervyn in their purchase and the sale is yet another example of the demand for leisure led hospitality businesses in tourist locations such as National Parks and seaside towns.
“We wish the new owners every success with this exciting project and I look forward to hopefully helping them secure their second venue at some point in the not too distant future.”
Funding for the purchase was arranged via Gary Boyce, Director at Christie Finance, who adds: “John and Mervyn are experienced hoteliers and with John and his family residing in the immediate area, this was the perfect opportunity.
“The hotel sector has experienced difficult lending conditions over the past 12 months however, the finance that we were able to secure will help support their acquisition and future intentions to grow the business.
“The rebrand of the White Rose, now known as ‘The Middle House’, is a positive statement of change and showcases John and Mervyn’s commitment to being integral within their community and encourage new business and tourist trade to the area. We wish them all the very best.”
