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Thorpe Estate, a landed estate and farm in Staffordshire has received new funding from Lloyds Bank for its plans to build eco-friendly guest accommodation.
The estate has been provided with a £2m funding package to aid the conversion of an old Victorian redbrick farmhouse into accommodation with 21 en suite rooms.
The accommodation, called Constantine House, will also include a bridal suite, a lounge, bar and dining area and is expected to attract 8,000 guests per year.
The new accommodation is being built next to Thorpe Garden, a historic walled garden and 200-capacity wedding venue operated by specialist rural weddings business, Cripps & Co.
Tristan Lillingston, development director, said: “Sustainability and conservation is central to the Estate and our family, and these values have shaped every aspect of Constantine House. In our family, we believe in an old phrase: ‘we don’t inherit land from our parents, we borrow it from our children’. I want to ensure the work we’re doing leaves the Estate and the world a better place to hand on to my children.
“While it’s often cheaper to knock down old properties and build from afresh, we see diversification and sustainable repurposing of historic buildings as an opportunity to preserve our precious heritage, while ensuring that the Estate is environmentally and economically sustainable for the future. We’re grateful for Lloyds Bank financial support and consultation to help us achieve these ambitions.”
Adrian Burden, relationship director, Agriculture at Lloyds Bank, added: “It’s fantastic to be by the side of Tristan and the team at Thorpe Estate as they embark on the next step of their sustainable diversification journey.
“The business has seen significant demand for accommodation following the post-pandemic boom in outdoor weddings, prompting Tristan to approach us for support to capitalise on this potential income stream. Through Lloyds advice and funding, as well as our commitment to financing environmentally focused development, the Estate will be able to provide sustainable facilities which align with their guests’ values and love for nature.”
The building of Constantine House is part of wider sustainable diversification projects by Thorpe Estate.
