Hotel in Spilsby leading way to boost economy with £500k plan

A Spilsby restaurant and pub owner is welcoming the call to develop more quality accommodation to drive the county's visitor economy with an investment worth £500k.
RobStark,business operator at the Grade 11 listed White HartHotel in Spilsby in one of the refurbished rooms.RobStark,business operator at the Grade 11 listed White HartHotel in Spilsby in one of the refurbished rooms.
RobStark,business operator at the Grade 11 listed White HartHotel in Spilsby in one of the refurbished rooms.

The new initiative run by Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) sets out to encourage pubs across the area to add rooms or alternative accommodation to their establishment to support rural tourism.

A free Greater Lincolnshire Pub Development Project toolkit has also been developed and two free workshops are being held, which include practical advice for anyone thinking about developing accommodation within a pub, restaurant or similar establishment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rob Stark, business operator at the Grade 11 listed White Hart hotel, is currently investing in refurbishing the business' 10 letting rooms as part of a total investment of more than £500,000

Mr Stark said: "The investment goes far beyond just refurbishment because because each room has to meet regulations, including fire safety and you've soon spent another £10,000.

"If the property is listed there are other restrictions to consider.

"However a lot is happening in Spilsby - with a new housing development and the next stage of the installation of the onshore electrical system in Lincolnshire - and now is the time for businesses to invest in readiness."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chris Baron, director at Butlins in Skegness and tourism lead on the LEP Board, said: “Pubs have traditionally been the heart of communities and have played a vital part in rural life. This scheme supports our growing visitor economy by providing more high-quality accommodation, and it also helps breathe life into many of our pubs and helps them diversify.

"Over the last decade we have seen a rapid decline in the number of pubs – many of them struggling to survive in rural communities. We wanted to explore the possibility of encouraging pubs to widen their offer with good quality accommodation, helping sustain their role in the heart of the community and boosting tourism.”

Two free pub accommodation development workshops for pub owners, landlords and tenants are being held by Business Lincolnshire. They will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm on:

March 14 at the Hare and Hounds, Fulbeck, and March 25 at the Advocate Arms, Market Rasen

For more information, to request a copy of the development guide or to secure your place on the workshop please email [email protected]