Hoteliers Jennifer and Paul Jarvis, owners of PJ's Hotel in North Shields, have pledged to give their local hospice, St Oswald's, a donation of £100k if the charity helps sell their business.
The couple, who bought the 15-bedroom hotel in 2004, are retiring from the industry to focus on family commitments and decided they would also like to help out the charity, which helps adults and children with life limiting conditions, through selling it.
"My mother was in one of the hospice's and the charity is marvellous. Instead of us going through an estate agent, the hospice is dealing with the sale and in return we are giving them £100,000 from the hotel's sale," said Jennifer.
"We thought this would be something a bit different which would attract attention of the sale, as well as help to raise awareness for St Oswald’s.”
'Super chance' for new owner
Jennifer, who worked as a nurse before she and her husband took over the hotel, previously a 19th Century inn, said it provided a 'super chance' for someone looking to run their own hotel.
Since taking it over six years ago the Jarvis's have extensively refurbished the building and it now includes a 30-cover restaurant, two bars and a function room.
Anita Irving, director of community fundraising at St Oswald’s, said: “As a registered charity we rely heavily on the kindness and commitment of our local community - individuals and business alike. This is the first time we’ve been approached with anything like this and we’re hoping it will be a great success.”
For details about PJ’s Hotel visit www.pjshotel.co.uk. For more information about the hotel sale and the charity visit www.stoswaldsuk.org.
It is not the first time a hotel has been sold to help charity. Last year, Brian Burnie pledged to donate all the proceeds from the sale of his hotel and spa Doxford Hall Hotel in Northumberland to cancer charities.