Inn Collection Group acquires The Dower House Hotel

The Inn Collection Group has acquired The Dower House and Spa in an undisclosed deal, taking the group’s total estate count to 26.

The Knaresborough’s hotel forms the group’s seventh Yorkshire site as part of a “strategic” expansion in the county.

Additionally, the group announced that a “complex” refurbishment programme is scheduled for 2022.

The refurbishment will include a restoration and remodelling of the building to “enhance its environment, improve accessibility and align the site with The Inn Collection Group’s quality, food-driven pubs with rooms offer”.

Currently, the 38-bedroom, Grade II listed building features a spa and swimming pool along with several bars, lounges and function areas, and it will continue trading under The Inn Collection Group brand.

The hotel is centrally located in Knaresborough, close to its railway station which has connections to Leeds and York.

The deal follows the group’s recent acquisitions of landmark venues Dean Court Hotel in York and The Ripon Spa Hotel in Ripon as The Inn Collection Group continues its growth strategies in Yorkshire, supported with banking from OakNorth.

Sean Donkin, the Inn Collection Group’s managing director, said: “We are excited to be growing our foothold in Yorkshire with the addition of The Dower House and Spa. It is a tremendous site, steeped in character and history in a stunning destination location.

“We are delighted to be bringing Dower House and its team into The Inn Collection Group family. It’s a great time for us to be joining the community in Knaresborough as we enter the festive period. We’re looking forward to investing in the team and site and realising Dower House’s full potential while preserving the heritage and charm it holds.”

He added: “As an established brand in the northeast and west of England, we are looking to increase our presence and customer base here in Yorkshire, with our proven offering of food-driven pubs with quality accommodation.”