A General Manager has been appointed for Durham’s newest pub, The Kingslodge Inn by The Inn Collection group.Leanne Jeffrey, from Whitley Bay, has over 20 years’ experience in the industry both in the north east and abroad. She has been Deputy Manager at The Inn Collection Group’s Hog’s Head Inn, Alnwick, for the past year and is looking forward to taking on an exciting new challenge in Durham.
Leanne Jeffrey, said: “I am really looking forward to making The Kingslodge Inn a welcoming place. The concept, like the other Inn Collection Group Inns, is a pub with rooms. It has been transformed into a traditional pub with excellent en-suite accommodation, serving fine beers along with superb home-cooked food in a location convenient to both local people and visitors alike.
“The new Kingslodge Inn will offer facilities for everyone. We want to establish The Kingslodge Inn as an important part of the offer to tourists in Durham City but equally we are looking forward to welcoming Durham residents as regulars as well as cyclists and walkers. Even dogs will be very welcome both in the bar and in the accommodation.”
Leanne will head a team of approx. 35 people including the existing employees of the establishment and a further 25 recently recruited for new hospitality and catering roles in the city.
A major refurbishment of The Kingslodge Inn has been underway since the award-winning and fast growing hospitality specialist bought the property last month. The refurbishment will create an additional two rooms, bringing the total number to 23. The former separate restaurant area will also become an integral part of the new Kingslodge Inn as the company expands its portfolio of inns across North East England.
Keith Liddell, Chief Executive Officer, The Inn Collection Group, said: “We are very excited about the prospect of operating a successful Inn in the historic Durham City. It is the first city location for The Inn Collection Group. All of our inns provide excellent, value-for-money accommodation in handpicked-locations, home-cooked pub food served all day, every day, well-stocked bars, and a warm welcome to our customers.
“Leanne Jeffrey has been a great Deputy Manager at our very busy pub in Alnwick and we have no doubt that with her wealth of experience, she and her new team will create a great quality pub in keeping with the high standards that our eat, drink, sleep and explore concept demands.”
The Kingslodge Inn joins the Inn Collection Group family of north east pubs with rooms earlier this year. The fast-growing hospitality specialist also own The Lindisfarne Inn near Holy Island, The Bamburgh Castle Inn at Seahouses and The Hog’s Head Inn at Alnwick, The Seaton Lane Inn near Seaham as well as The King’s Head Inn at Newton under Roseberry in North Yorkshire.
The Inn Collection Group was shortlisted in the prestigious national Publican Awards earlier this year with the group reaching the finals in the Best Accommodation Provider category at the awards ceremony – the pub industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.
The fast growing hospitality specialist was named best leisure business in the Northumberland Business Awards in 2015. Taking top honours in the sought after leisure category, the Inn Collection Group was recognised by judges for its innovation, proven track record, value for money and standards of service across the hospitality sector. In the North East Tourism Awards The Bamburgh Castle Inn was named the Tourism Pub of the Year and The Hog’s Head Inn in Alnwick, won silver in the Access for All category.
The Kingslodge Inn will re-open, with a special invitation to those in the local vicinity, on Friday 15 April. An introductory menu will be served from Monday 18 April.
The Inn Collection Group thanks all The Kingslodge Inn patrons and customers for their patience while the refurbishment has been underway.
For booking enquiries call 0191 370 9977 or email: enquiries@kingslodgeinn.co.uk