Historic Hotel Acquired by Hospitality Group

A historic Derbyshire hotel has been acquired by a growing hospitality group.

The Priest House Hotel in Castle Donington been bought BR Priest House Ltd, part of The Brook Group of Companies.

The Brook Group, based in Barnsley, owns and operates a number of hospitality businesses across the North of England including hotels, pubs, restaurants and late night venues.

The new owner plans to work with 42-bedroom hotel's team to re-establish The Priest House as one of the area’s premier hotels.

Jason Brook, chief executive at The Brook Group, said: "We have worked hard over the last year to acquire the Priest House and we see it as an important part of our evolving strategy to develop a group of quality hotels in outstanding locations.

"This acquisition of the Priest House follows on from our purchase of the Aysgarth Falls Hotel in the stunning Yorkshire Dales last September and now takes our hotel portfolio to three sites, with a fourth planned in the South Welsh Valleys. We look forward to working closely with existing and new clients as we strive to put the Priest House back on the map."

Francis Hindle, hotels divisional manager, added: "We are delighted with this latest acquisition to our portfolio. The hotel has a strong reputation locally for providing first class hospitality and we look forward to building on that as we look to nurture and enhance the offering over the coming months."

The Norman Mill Tower at the Priest House Hotel is a remnant of a mill complex dating back to the time of the Doomsday Book.

It was owned by the crown until 1581 when Queen Elizabeth I granted the land to Edward Ferrers and Francis Phillips.

The mills were destroyed by a fire in 1927, with only the tower remaining.

Lee Causer, Danny Dartnaill and Ryan Grant of BDO were appointed joint administrators of Priest House Hotel Ltd, as well as Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd, Norton Motorcycle Holdings Ltd, and Donington Hall Estates Ltd, on 29 January 2020.