WORK has begun on a multi-million-pound project to transform a well-known North East pub into a 64-bedroom hotel, bar and restaurant.
North East hospitality giant Malhotra Group PLC has embarked on an 18-month, £5.6m development of Three Mile Inn, Gosforth, Newcastle.
And, as the first stage of the project gets underway, they have reassured customers that it is business as usual at the venue, which also comprises the popular Scalini’s Italian restaurant.
The development will take place in three main phases, beginning with the construction of a three-story extension, which will ultimately provide additional accommodation for the hotel.
Further phases will include the conversion of the existing building from two to three storeys and the creation of conference, function and private dining facilities, a residents’ lounge, café, bar and restaurant.
An estimated 25 jobs will be created when work is complete and the Malhotra family, who have strong links to Gosforth, hope that as well as welcoming leisure and corporate guests, the venue will become a much-used community hub for neighbouring families.
“Of all our venues, it is particularly close to my heart as I spent my early childhood living in Gosforth,” said director of operations Atul Malhotra, “and not only will we be trading as normal throughout the rest of this year, but we are of course continuing to take bookings for Christmas and the New Year.
The company is also putting measures in place to ensure local families, customers and businesses are kept fully briefed of the project’s progress at all stages.
Information boards at the site will display progress reports, a leaflet drop to Gosforth homes and businesses will keep residents abreast of the development and a specially created link on the company’s website will provide updates and answer queries.
“Our aim is to create a hotel and leisure facility which will be a real credit to Gosforth and a genuine asset to the community,” said Mr Malhotra, “and we very much hope our customers will support us, both during the transition period and once it is complete.”
Malhotra Group PLC’s Three Mile Inn development is one of several current leisure projects, which began with the recently completed £1.2m refurbishment of its Newcastle city centre Grey Street Hotel.
Future plans include a sports themed bar, new gin bar and additional bedrooms at The New Northumbria Hotel, Jesmond, while Market Lane – known as Monkey Bar – at Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, is to be fully refurbished over both floors.
In addition, Malhotra Group PLC’s care division, Prestwick Care is embarking on three new care home schemes – an 87-bedroom care facility in Alnwick which will be open by the end of 2018, a 66-bedroom care facility at Ryhope, Sunderland, which will open in early 2019 and the development of the former Rex Hotel, Whitley Bay, which will open as an 83-bedroom care facility in two years’ time.
For more information about Malhotra Group plc contact www.malhotragroup.co.uk.