Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne intends to extend Charlton House, the four-AA-red-star, 26-bedroom hotel his company, the Bannatyne Group, has purchased in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
The acquisition of the hotel is central to £5m-worth of investments announced by the company to grow its hotel and spa operations across the UK. It represents the first tranche of a £15m programme the Bannatyne Group is embarking on for 2010/11.
Plans at Charlton House, which Bannatyne rescued out of administration, include an increase in the number of spa treatment rooms and the introduction of a large fitness area.
“I am very pleased to have completed the acquisition of Charlton House as it has real potential,” said Bannatyne. “It fits perfectly into our hotel portfolio, particularly alongside our boutique hotel in Darlington and spa hotel in Hastings.”
Charlton House is to be operated by Bannatyne Hotels - one of a number of businesses within the Bannatyne Group – alongside the Bannatyne hotel in Darlington, the Bannatyne hotel in Durham and the Bannatyne Spa hotel in Hastings.
In other parts of the business, Bannatyne is developing two new spas in Banbury and Broadstairs to expand its portfolio of Bannatyne Spas to 30. The company also operates 60 health clubs.
Duncan Bannatyne confirmed as new owner of Somerset’s Charlton House hotel >>
Bannatyne Group buys Charlton House hotel for £3m >>
Administrators seek £3.5m for Charlton House hotel and spa >>
By Janet Harmer
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