New jobs are being created at an Eden hotel which will open its doors later this month in time for Easter weekend.
On March 27, The Wilding Hotel at Brough will welcome customers with a new look and under new ownership.
Previously the Inn at Brough, the 300-year-old Grade II-listed former coaching inn, was acquired in November last year.
The family team of Cliff and Carolyn Harker, and their two daughters, Andrea and Julia, are behind the new venture.
They already run the award-winning Eden Barn, near Kirkby Stephen, which they took over in 2016.
In that time it has become a popular boutique wedding venue —recently winning a pair of awards.
Carolyn said The Wilding Hotel was four weeks away from opening following extensive redecoration and interior design.
A number of roles have been filled, from a head chef to front of house, with three vacancies remaining.
Carolyn told the Herald: “People here have been wondering if it’s only open to wedding guests, but it is open to everyone as it’s a fantastic hotel that will be open for food, drinks and events.”
The family’s Eden Barn has been rated five stars out of five by many of the couples who have married there. The business was recently recognised in the Hitched Wedding Awards 2024.
That was followed up with a gold award in the Best of Bridebook.com Awards 2024.
Hitched.co.uk describes itself as a leading wedding planning platform with more than 23,000 wedding vendors registered on its site.
The Bridebook.com awards are based on five-star reviews submitted by couples who married at a particular venue during 2023. On Hitched, Eden Barn received a total of 62 reviews from people who planned their weddings with them, giving them five out of five stars.
Cliff said: “We are proud to have won the two awards from Hitched and Bridebook based on couples reviews. This recognises how hard the team and my family have worked to deliver 90 weddings in 2023 to this standard.”
Of The Wilding Hotel, he said: “Offering accommodation, food, drink and events, this is enabling us to employ more people from the local community.”
