The Inn Collection Group adds to Yorkshire estate

07-Dec-2021 - Last updated on 07-Dec-2021 at 11:31 GMT

Yorkshire Expansion: 15th century building acquired by the Inn Collection Group

The Inn Collection Group has acquired the 15th century Dower House and Spa in Knaresborough as part of its Yorkshire expansion, making its total estate count 26.

The 38-bedroom Grade II-listed building features a spa, swimming pool and several bars, lounges and function areas, and will continue trading under the company’s ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ brand.

The Inn Collection Group’s managing director Sean Donkin said the pubco was excited to be growing a foothold in Yorkshire with such a “tremendous site” steeped in character and history.

“We are delighted to be bringing Dower House and its team into the Inn Collection Group family. It’s a great time for us to be joining the community in Knaresborough as we emerge from lockdown restrictions,” said Donkin.

Refurbishment programme

A refurbishment programme is scheduled for 2022 where a restoration and remodelling of the building will take place to enhance its environment.

He continued: “We’re looking forward to investing in the team and site and realising Dower House’s full potential while preserving the heritage and charm it holds.

“As an established brand in the north east and west of England, we are looking to increase our presence and customer base here in Yorkshire, with our proven offering of food-driven pubs with quality accommodation."

The House is centrally located in the town and is close to a railway station with connections to Leeds and York. The Victorian spa town Harrogate is nearby, along with the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

The deal follows the group’s recent acquisitions of Dean Court Hotel in York and the Ripon Spa Hotel in Ripon with the expansion backed by OakNorth banking.

Yorkshire expansion

The group reopened its historic Helmsley venue the Black Swan in October after the first phase of a multi-million-pound refurbishment of the North Yorkshire site was completed.

Elsewhere in Yorkshire, the Inn Collection Group owns popular Whitby venue the Stables and the award-winning King’s Head Inn at Newton-under-Roseberry.

In Northallerton, works are ongoing to redevelop the town’s former police station which the group bought in December 2020. It will reopen as a 32-bedroom pub named the Northallerton Inn in spring 2022.

Outside Yorkshire, the group’s estate includes sites in Northumberland, the Lake District, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Lancashire.