Traditional ale brewery Theakston is investing £1.5m to convert an old brewery premises into a hotel. 

The White Bear in Masham in Wensleydale, Yorkshire, is to receive a makeover to transform the adjacent property and former brewery offices into a hotel and conference centre.

The 13-bedroom hotel will open in “early summer”, and will  feature a penthouse suite, residents lounge, function room, and two meetings rooms.

Simon Theakston, managing director of Theakston, said the new hotel would “fit well” with the company’s hospitality vision and was a “perfect location”. 

Theakstons has operated as an independent brewer since the Theakston family regained control of it in 2003. 

The Royal Bank of Scotland provided financial support for the property conversion for both the working capital and property development cost of the project.

By Gemma Sharkey

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