A £500,000 refurbishment of Alston Youth Hostel is on schedule for its spring reopening next month.
Mat Austin, 52, of Manchester, who bought the hostel almost a year ago, says his investment aims to expand on the legacy of previous owners Linda and Neil Wilmott — and guarantee its future as other hostels struggle to survive.
Work began in October to install a new commercial kitchen, en suite family bedroom, drying room and laundry room.
Externally, the car park is being extended and a new bicycle store erected. Landscaping work to create a small orchard and renovation of the owner’s accommodation is also taking place.
Mat, who runs the hostel with help from his partner Claire Ayres, said: “This is a huge commitment. A lot of hostels are closing and if we don’t invest in this it will close. We won’t let it die. It’s too important.”
The 28-bed independent hostel has six rooms and was built in 1975, primarily to accommodate walkers of the Pennine Way which runs past its door.
But Mat believes there are many other attractions which draw visitors to the area, which he and Claire have come to love.
“I didn’t know the area very well before we came here, but I remember driving over Hartside Pass for the first time and having to turn round immediately and drive over it again as I had to see the view again. The more we explore, the more we see how stunning it is,” he said.
“There is so much to do around here. Obviously we get lots of walkers on the Pennine Way, but last year we also accommodated lots of cyclists and we get families who want to explore. There is plenty of low-level walking and Hadrian’s Wall isn’t far away. There is also the South Tynedale Railway.”
The refurbishment will not see the removal of the two shared dormitories which Mat days are very popular, offering reasonably priced accommodation. The guest kitchen will also remain for those who prefer to cook for themselves.
The hostel has been closed while the building work takes place, but Mat is confident it will be ready for next month’s reopening and is looking forward to welcoming guests.
He added: “The builders have been fantastic. It’s all systems go at the moment. Initially we concentrated on getting the hostel done first so any outstanding work should go unnoticed by guests. We have bookings for our opening on March 1 and can’t wait to open the doors again.”
