OakNorth, a neobank specializing in catering to entrepreneurs, has granted Bowland Inns & Hotels, a well-known specialist operator in the market for pubs, hotels, and wedding venues, a £25m loan. Bowland Inns & Hotels owns James’ Places and Dream Venues Collection, which runs award-winning wedding venues. The company portfolio has expanded over time due to its successful “buy and build” approach, and it now operates across the Ribble Valley, Lune Valley, Yorkshire Dales, and the South Lakes, managing 11 distinct venues.
The loan from OakNorth is intended to refinance the existing property portfolio, as well as to complete the purchase and refurbishment of a new property, Wennington Hall near Lancaster, and extend the bedroom capacity of one current property, Waddington Arms near Clitheroe. Wennington Hall, a grand country house with magnificent gardens and location situated between the Lake District, the Ribble Valley, and the Yorkshire Dales, is to be renovated into a luxurious hotel, retreat, and venue for bespoke events and weddings. The site is set to open in late spring 2024 and will join Mitton Hall near Whalley, Eaves Hall near Clitheroe, and Falcon Manor near Settle, among others in the Dream Venues Collection. The expansion project aims to increase the number of bedrooms from six to fourteen, as well as expand the dining capacity.
James Warburton, the owner of Bowland Inns & Hotels, stated that “finding the right funding partner for each stage of our growth has been one of the biggest challenges we have had to face.” He recognized OakNorth’s transparency, flexibility, and unique expertise in the region’s hotel and wedding venue market as key factors in getting the transaction completed quickly.
Stewart Haworth, Director of debt finance at OakNorth, recognized James Warburton’s leadership in making Bowland Inns & Hotels a highly regarded luxury hotel and wedding venue provider across significant areas of the North West and highlighted that OakNorth is looking forward to supporting future growth initiatives.
At OakNorth, we relish opportunities to support entrepreneurs like James and are confident that this funding will yield fruitful results. We anticipate that these new places will be hugely popular due to the robust nature of wedding income in the region.
OakNorth, a neobank specializing in catering to entrepreneurs, has granted Bowland Inns & Hotels, a well-known specialist operator in the market for pubs, hotels, and wedding venues, a £25m loan. Bowland Inns & Hotels owns James’ Places and Dream Venues Collection, which runs award-winning wedding venues. The company portfolio has expanded over time due to its successful “buy and build” approach, and it now operates across the Ribble Valley, Lune Valley, Yorkshire Dales, and the South Lakes, managing 11 distinct venues.
The loan from OakNorth is intended to refinance the existing property portfolio, as well as to complete the purchase and refurbishment of a new property, Wennington Hall near Lancaster, and extend the bedroom capacity of one current property, Waddington Arms near Clitheroe. Wennington Hall, a grand country house with magnificent gardens and location situated between the Lake District, the Ribble Valley, and the Yorkshire Dales, is to be renovated into a luxurious hotel, retreat, and venue for bespoke events and weddings. The site is set to open in late spring 2024 and will join Mitton Hall near Whalley, Eaves Hall near Clitheroe, and Falcon Manor near Settle, among others in the Dream Venues Collection. The expansion project aims to increase the number of bedrooms from six to fourteen, as well as expand the dining capacity.
James Warburton, the owner of Bowland Inns & Hotels, stated that “finding the right funding partner for each stage of our growth has been one of the biggest challenges we have had to face.” He recognized OakNorth’s transparency, flexibility, and unique expertise in the region’s hotel and wedding venue market as key factors in getting the transaction completed quickly.
Stewart Haworth, Director of debt finance at OakNorth, recognized James Warburton’s leadership in making Bowland Inns & Hotels a highly regarded luxury hotel and wedding venue provider across significant areas of the North West and highlighted that OakNorth is looking forward to supporting future growth initiatives.
At OakNorth, we relish opportunities to support entrepreneurs like James and are confident that this funding will yield fruitful results. We anticipate that these new places will be hugely popular due to the robust nature of wedding income in the region.
