Sidney Phillips have been instructed to market for sale “The oldest hotel in the country”, The Lowther Hotel, located in the heart of the historic town of Goole, East Yorkshire.
This Grade II* listed building was built in 1824, operating as a hotel since its inception. It was officially named the oldest hotel in the UK in 2016, after unfortunate burning down of The Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter. As a result The Lowther received a Blue Plaque to commemorate this landmark in 2017.
The Lowther Hotel’s rich history provides an integral insight into the heritage of the town of Goole and of industrial Northern England, which the current owners have dedicated significant investment and effort into restoring and maintaining. With its location adjacent to the docks, overlooking the River Ouse, the Lowther Hotel has a strong maritime background. The building had been owned by the Aire and Calder Navigation Company, who built and owned the town until 1952 when the then nationalised docks were told to sell off assets that did not benefit the dockyards.
Comprising of three storeys, the main building features 12 well-appointed en suite guest bedrooms as well as private meeting rooms which are licenced for weddings. These function suites known as the ‘Mural Rooms’ which span over 60ft long and are covered in original wall paintings and a mural of King George IV dating back to between 1828 and 1830 which were revived by the famous art restorer Elizabeth Hurst.
On the ground floor is the Aire and Calder Function Suite, Eddie’s Bar & Bistro and one of two nightclubs, Voodoo Chilli (licenced alongside the whole site from 8am until 6am). The original cobbled courtyard to the rear of the hotel, which has been used for open air events, leads to the restored Coach House gin bar with its original exposed timbers. The adjoining bar and events space Funky Monkey nightclub includes the Coco Havana Bar, when an outside event is using the purpose built outside stage or handmade gazebo this space is usually utilised.
With this sizeable site there is space for in excess of another 16 bedrooms (subject to planning permissions).
The Lowther Hotel was purchased in 2008 by the current owners who also run the multi award winning Julie Howard Partnership, who’s awards include the prestigious 2016 Heritage Angels Award for restoring and developing listed buildings. The partnership purchased the property as a derelict building where in the months after it underwent massive renovation and investment aimed at recovering the original features. They now have very reluctantly decided to sell due to the ill health of one of the partners and their desire to spend more time with their family.
The Julie Howard Partnership comment, “After much soul searching, the family have decided that The Lowther deserves someone with the passion and drive to take it forward on to the next level.”
“Goole represents an exciting opportunity with a host of major firms looking to boost the local economy with significant investment. These include Siemens who are investing £160 million to build a train factory, Croda’s with a £7 million distribution hub and an investment of £10 million by Y Pellets for a biomass factory, all on the new industrial park off the M62 at junction 36, which is within a mile of the hotel. There are also 800 houses to be built over the next few years by Beal Homes. Recently over 75% of the initial phase were sold in the first weekend launch event that took place at the Lowther Hotel.”
“We feel this is an amazing opportunity in an up and coming location.”
Zaine Lamont, Regional Valuations Manager for the Eastern Counties office of Sidney Phillips, who is handling the sale, commented: “It really is a privilege to represent our clients who are, experts with over 30 years’ experience in professionally renovating and restoring historic buildings”.
“The business offers masses of potential for investment purchasers as the property could easily be split and sectioned with the Burger Bar, Coach House, Coco Havana Bar and the Voodoo Chilli Nightclub which could be leased individually, bringing in a healthy rental income”.
“Alternatively, as there is no direct nightclub completion with the town the property could be transformed into one sizeable grandiose late license nightclub & music venue incorporating the basement cellar with the already successful trade spaces. It is in my opinion that the property would benefit from the multiple storage rooms and 1st floor kitchen being converted into additional bedrooms which would lead to an increase in turnover and subsequent profits”.
Sidney Phillips are seeking offers for the freehold interest of The Lowther Hotel at a much-reduced price owing to ill health of £775,000.
For further information about this business for sale and other pubs for sale, please contact Sidney Phillips’ on 01522 500059, by email (east@sidneyphillips.co.uk) or click here for more details.