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Cumbria-based hospitality operator, Strands and Screes Holdings, is set to complete the purchase of the Strands Hotel, Screes Inn and Strands Brewery, having secured a £900k loan from NatWest.
The deal will fund upgrades to the Wasdale-based 18th Century hotel and expand brewing and distilling operations on-site, with plans to create and sustain jobs in the local hospitality sector. Renovations will include refurbishment of accommodation and kitchens, enabling the business to serve food.
The Strands Hotel remains open, while the Screes Inn is currently offering accommodation. The inn will open fully on weekends during the summer school holidays, with a permanent reopening scheduled for May 2026.
Dave Keeler, managing director of Strands and Screes Holdings, began his career at the Strands Hotel when it was owned by his godmother in 1982. He has since worked in the hospitality industry in the UK, Canada, the US and Bermuda.
Keeler said: “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting new chapter for the Strands Hotel. This funding will allow us to not only expand our business but also increase our contribution to the local economy and community.”
North West law firm Harrison Drury advised on the acquisition, which included the freehold of the properties. Corporate partner Jack Stephenson added: “It’s been a real pleasure to support this acquisition which secures a bright future for these two much-loved venues.”
