AN ambitious £1m-plus refurbishment is set to bring a famous 12th-century hotel firmly into the 21st century.
The Lord Crewe Arms in medieval Blanchland, on the Northumberland-Durham border, has faced an uncertain future since November, when the owners J & G Inns went into administration.
But now the owners of The Lord Crewe have put together plans to transform the interior of the 1175-built inn.
The Trustees of Lord Crewe’s Charity say plans are in the early stages, but a shortlist of three “preferred bidders” for hotel operators has been drawn up.
The hotel will close this weekend at the start of up to a year of refurbishment work.
Michael Orde, spokesman for the Trustees, said: “The hotel has not had a lot of investment for quite a few decades, and it is looking a little run down.
“We want it to look like a hotel that you and your wife would want to stay in. We want to make it a pleasant experience.
“The hotel will close for a period of time from this weekend and work will be carried out over the next year.
“As the Lord Crewe is a protected building, we cannot alter the exterior in any way. The external appearance will not change.
“It is about an internal refurbishment – what we have to work out is whether we will get the core of the hotel ready sooner than the whole.
“We are still working on it. The administrator has pushed things ahead without as much planning as we would have wanted, but now we have to move ahead too.”
The administrators, who have run the hotel for the past two months, have now informed the current operators that they must vacate the premises at the end of January.
The transformation will preserve the unique character of the stone-built hotel, which was originally part of Blanchland Abbey and stands at the heart of a village which resolutely retains its historic ambience.
The hotel, which employs 30 staff, features atmospheric hidden stairways, stone fireplaces, ancient timber beams and stone-flagged floors with numerous period features.
The bar is located in the Abbey’s former crypt.
The Trustees say the proposals “will capitalise on the history and character of both the building and one of the most picturesque villages in north east England”.
Mr Orde added: “The final choice from among the bidders will depend upon the investment structure – it is very important to the Trustees that the hotel gets enough investment.
“It is also essential that the hotel retains its special character.
“The Trustees believe that significant investment now can deliver real long-term benefits in terms of both business and tourist traffic, provision of employment, and a focal point for the Blanchland community.
“Furthermore, the decision to invest in a major refurbishment will create sought-after work for the building trade over the next year.
“We are keen to move forward with this development so as to make the property a credit to this unique location.”
The leasehold of The Lord Crewe, reputed to be haunted by medieval monks, was on offer in November for £65,000, alongside that of the Warkworth House Hotel near Alnwick, also formerly owned by J & G Inns.
The Trustees of Lord Crewe’s Charity was formed in 1721 under the terms of the will of Nathaniel, Lord Crewe.
