Inn Collection Group adds 19th site to round off ‘record’ year
The Northumberland-based group completed undisclosed deals for the Angel Inn at Bowness on Windermere and an adjacent 12-room bed and breakfast property on 16 December growing the group’s stable to 19 sites – six of which are located in the Lake District.
The Angel Inn acquisition is the Alchemy-backed group’s eighth “heavyweight purchase” of 2020 as it continues to expand with strategic ‘buy and build’ growth plans supported by OakNorth Bank.
The Inn Collection Group also counts venues in Northumberland, County Durham and Lancashire among its portfolio, while a 40-bedroom, new-build site on Sunderland’s seafront at Seaburn is currently under construction.
What’s more, as reported by The Morning Advertiser, the operator unveiled plans to transform the former police station in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, into its eighteenth site at the start of December – creating up to 50 jobs in the process.
Unique asset
The Inn Collection Group’s Cumbrian roster includes two sites in Ambleside: the Ambleside Inn and the Churchill Inn; the Coniston Inn at Coniston; the Swan at Grasmere and the Pheasant at Bassenthwaite, in addition to its latest addition.
Discussing the deal, managing director Sean Donkin said: “The Angel Inn is a unique asset in an absolutely outstanding location. We are excited to be adding it to our portfolio, broadening our customer base and enhancing our award-winning offering in Cumbria further with this stunning addition to our collection.
“The completion on both of these sites is the result of great working relationships with fantastic vendors and marks months - if not years - of searching for landmark sites in superb locations like this, as we continue to grow as a company despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
“We will continue to welcome customers at the inn until planned renovations begin and look forward to re-opening as we respond to increased demand for staycation visitations and a predicted rise in domestic travel due to the combined effect of Covid and Brexit.”
The former owner of the Angel Inn, Liam Salisbury, added: “I would like to say what a great pleasure it has been dealing with The Inn Collection Group. After creating and running the Angel Inn over the last 15 years I feel that it could not be in better hands going forward.
“I say farewell to all the loyal guests that we have welcomed over the years and can assure them that they will still receive a very warm welcome upon their next visit."
