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WORKMEN are forging ahead with the latest phase of a £3 million re-vamp at an historic Lincoln hotel.
While the White Hart in Bailgate may look much the same to a passerby, apart from the creation of a new second entrance from Bailgate, inside a major transformation is under way.
And it is designed to boost business, create more jobs and ensure it will soon boast a four-star rating.
General manager Bryan Williams is in upbeat mood following the first part of a five-phase facelift, which has seen the opening of the Grille, a new restaurant which has come out of the redevelopment of the former Bailgate Suite.
The hotel reception has been relocated in the old club and new toilets and disabled facilities have also been installed.
The White hart is a Contemporary Hotel (a brand belonging to London-based steel giant Caparo Ltd).
The Grille has opened in Lincoln, after Contemporary formed a partnership with Room Restaurants, which has stand-alone restaurants in Manchester and Leeds and another in a Liverpool hotel.
Mr Williams said: “It’s an exciting addition for us and open seven days a week. Twenty-seven of our staff have transferred to the new eatery, which will create five more jobs when we open our new lounge bar – 27 other people are still employed by the hotel.”
The Grille interior designer Gabriel Murray has also been contracted by Carparo boss Ambar Paul to do further work.
“We are now redeveloping our old reception, lobby and lounge areas to create a new lounge bar, which is due to open mid-November.” Said Mr Williams.
“A revamp of our 120-seat King Richard Restaurant and the Orangery will follow between January and March. That will give us more flexibility and double the Orangery’s capacity to take up to 100 people.
Phase four will see the restyling of hotel bedrooms and phase five involves a plan to create 30 more guest rooms on the hotel’s private car park.
“We have noted Lincolnshire Tourism’s study into quality hotels and hope our investment will help us to win a bigger share of the higher end market. We also want to do 80 weddings a year; compared to the current 60,” said Mr Williams.
Lincolnshire tourism chief executive Penny Baker said: “Given the increasingly competitive nature of the city break market, it’s vital that we deliver a great visitor experience. This investment will provide a fantastic boost for the city’s tourism offerings.”
Hotel has rich history
THE White Hart Hotel was given its mane in 1387 by Richard II – whose emblem was a white hart.
For many centuries, the 14th century property, was owned by the cathedral authorities and landlords were charged 100 shillings a year in rent.
The inn experienced mixed fortunes and in 1649 it was reported that it was “very ancient and much out of repair”.
The White Hart’s early links with the cathedral are still evident – most of the hotel’s suites are named after former Bishops of Lincoln.
Many famous guests have stayed at The White Hart including A-listers Tom Hanks and Ron Howard, who came to the city for the filming of The Da Vinci Code in 2005.
LUXURIES: White hart Hotel general manager Bryan Williams in the completed bar and restaurant (also inset) called the Grille, built as part of a multi-million pound refurbishment.
MINE HOST: White Hart hotel boss Bryan Williams outside the Grille bar and restaurant.
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