Avidity Hotels acquires Rockingham Forest Hotel

Avidity Hotels has acquired The Best Western Rockingham Forest Hotel in Corby for an undisclosed sum.

Avidity is a partnership set up by brothers Daniel and Antony Woodcock, sons of hotelier Louis Woodcock, founder of BDL Management, and local entrepreneurs and property developers Mulberry Commercial Property, the experienced team behind many of Corby’s regeneration projects.

Prior to Avidity Hotels taking ownership, the hotel has experienced many challenges. Previous owners have attempted to use the hotel as a refuge for asylum seekers, before this was blocked due to local opposition.

With investment into the property expected to exceed £3.5m, the group said initial plans are already underway to update, extend and modernise the 86 en-suite bedroom hotel. There will also be significant investment into the public areas and meeting spaces, including the hotel’s banqueting hall, which can accommodate up to 500 guests – creating an ideal space for corporate and private functions.

Work on the hotel, which also includes the Shine hair salon and beauty rooms, will begin in September 2024 and is expected to last 12 months.

The new owners already own and operate the Holiday Inn Express in Kettering, and group general manager, Marie Nickerson, will be overseeing both hotels.

She said: “It is a real privilege to be taking over this hotel, having worked alongside it for many years. We are incredibly lucky to be retaining the existing team, which is a real asset, and together we are focussed on a new and successful future for the hotel. There is so much potential, and everyone is excited to watch the new owner’s exciting plans become a reality.

“Their [Avidity] commitment and investment to ensuring the hotel not only keeps up with the market but exceeds customer expectations has led to fantastic results, and we fully expect to be able to deliver the same with Rockingham Forest Hotel.”