The Apartment Group promises jobs in £2 million Croft Hotel revamp

A leisure firm has pledged to create around 30 jobs in a £2 million hotel upgrade.

The Apartment Group has bought the grade II-listed Croft Hotel, in Croft-on-Tees, near Darlington.

And officials say they want extra staff to help operate the venue, which will be expanded to include a further six bedrooms and a chapel.

The blueprint also includes an “extensive transformation” of the hotel’s function suite and improvements to its restaurant and gardens.

Originally built in the early 19th century as a spa hotel, the site was designed by Durham Cathedral architect Ignatius Bonomi.

Duncan Fisher, Apartment Group founder, said: “Each of our wedding venues has its own character and its own story, and the Croft Hotel fits extremely well with this concept.”

The deal for the 24-bed hotel, completed for an undisclosed sum, was supported by funding from Develop North PLC, which is managed by Newcastle-based Tier One Capital.

Brendan O’ Grady, Tier One Capital fund manager, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide financial support to another very credible, experienced and professional borrower in the region.”

Law firm Ward Hardaway provided legal advice to Develop North PLC, with Julie Cuthbertson and Michael Cantwell, of RMT Accountants & Business Advisors, and John Morgan and Jennifer Boynton, of Hay & Kilner, advising The Apartment Group.