Member Article

Gisborough Hall becomes an independent hotel

Gisborough Hall has announced multi-million-pound investment plans as it prepares to become a fully-independent, family-owned hotel.

Lord Gisborough and his family, supported by a newly-appointed board of directors, will take full commercial control of Gisborough Hall, which is currently a Macdonald Associate hotel, from April 2017.

This will allow for further investment at Gisborough Hall, in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, including a new spa which it’s hoped will be open by the end of next year. The team, made up of over 100 local employees, will remain the same with more jobs being created with the opening of the new spa.

Gisborough Hall has been a Macdonald Associate since 2002, when the hall became a hotel. During this association, the hotel has become one of the most successful and prestigious hotels in the North of England with a range of accolades including the North East’s best large hotel.

Nick Holmes has been appointed non-executive director to aid transition and support future spa and leisure proposals.

Nick was highly regarded for launching Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth near Darlington and was managing director of the five-star resort for six years, overseeing its development and success. Nick will also support Gisborough’s well-known general manager, Kim Yardley, who will remain with the business when it leaves Macdonald Hotels management. Kim has managed the hotel since it opened in 2002.

Four-star Gisborough Hall dates back to the 19th century and is home to two AA Rosette restaurant ‘Chaloner’s’, a Revival Zone spa, 71 bedrooms and ‘G’ Bar and Bistro, as well as a ballroom, conservatory and events’ spaces and its traditional drawing room and inner hall.

This year Gisborough Hall has notched up several accolades including Laterooms.com’s ‘Simply the Guest’ award for being one of the best hotels in the North East and North Yorkshire, a ‘Green Leader’ award by TripAdvisor and the hall has also been a Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Award finalist for the last two years (2015 and 2016).

Nick Holmes said: “This is a truly exciting time for Gisborough Hall as we are now going to be fully managed here in Guisborough. As we approach our 15th anniversary next year the time is right for us to ‘go it alone’. It allows us to invest and develop as we see appropriate for both the local community and also to encourage visitors to the region.”

Lord Gisborough said: “Being part of the Macdonald Hotel Group has been a fantastic experience. They have provided us with the opportunity to grow and, with their leadership, we have been able to really put the hotel on the map, for this we are extremely grateful and we wish them all the best.”

A Macdonald Hotels Group spokesperson added: “We have very much enjoyed our association with Gisborough Hall Hotel and we wish the owners and staff every success in the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison Associates .