Lake District hotel set to re-open next year after multi-million pound funding package

The 80-room hotel was acquired by the Harwood family in 2006. A new 45,000sq.ft building is being added to the original 27,000sq.ft hotel, creating up to 70 full and part-time jobs.

Amanda Harwood said: “We are delighted with the opportunity to develop The Waterside into what we hope will be one of the Lake District’s finest hotels and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests next summer.”

Carol Barnes, business partner at Yorkshire Bank’s Lancaster Financial Solutions Centre, which provided the funding, added: “The Harwood family has a long track record of developing and improving hotel businesses and The Waterside Hotel & Spa will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to the Lake District hotel market.”

40 years' experience​

The Harwood family has almost 40 years' experience of owning and operating hotels in the Lake District and previously owned the Damson Dene in the Lyth Valley and Stonecross Manor, Kendal.

As well as The Waterside Hotel, the family currently owns the Craig Manor Hotel, Bowness, which it has operated for the last 18 years.

The Waterside Hotel is situated on the edge of Grasmere, offering lake views, wedding and function facilities and a spa and health facility. It will re-open as a four to five-star property.