Penrith couple and business owners Mark and Sally-Ann Bowman have set the bar high with the reopening of The Lounge following extensive renovation work.
The King Street hotel, bar and terrace reopened on Tuesday to the delight of many of the venue’s loyal customers, who were quick to turn out for a first look at the results of the major overhaul.
Renovations started in May last year, with local tradesmen and suppliers playing a key role in the upgrade, which has seen the bar and hotel extended into new parts of a building which was the former home of the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald.
The Lounge was closed for the last eight weeks while the buildings were integrated. In the former Herald building, a new bar has been created, as well as a new kitchen and seating area, with doors linking to an outside terrace, which opened in 2021. In the original Lounge space, the bar has been taken out and in its place a private function room has been created, which Mark said is suitable for meetings and small functions.
At the front of the existing Lounge, a snug area has been made, which is aimed at people going for tea and coffee while also welcoming hotel guests in the reception area. The new extended space is aimed at customers using the restaurant and bar.
“The original Lounge has been great for us for the last 15 years and popular, too. It could always have done with a bit more space at the bar and that’s what the work has allowed us to do,” said Mark.
“We’ve made a fantastic looking bar that’s got everything it needs and plenty of room. We’ve also got a fantastic new kitchen and it should allow us to work better,” said Mark.
The renovation project has nearly doubled the size of the original building, meaning it’s able to cater for up to 140 covers. With the expansion, a further 12 members of staff have been taken on across all departments.
The menu has also been tweaked, and while old favourites have been held on to, the daytime menu has been altered, offering an extensive brunch menu as well as milkshakes and mocktails. A new cocktail menu has also been introduced along with craft beers and a new wine list.
Sally-Ann and the couple’s daughters Marcia, Jesse and Tilly, as well as manager Rachael Ruddick, have worked together on the interior design. Mark and Sally-Ann’s son, Robbie, has also helped his dad with the manual work on site at weekends and during school holidays.
“We’re very proud of it, we’d put it up against anywhere in the country,” said Mark.
“It feels great, it’s lovely to see people in the place and enjoying it and it working how we envisaged it working.
“Lots of thought goes into it behind the scenes, and lots of research and to see it come to fruition is a fabulous feeling.”
Among the first to try out the new facilities were former Herald editor Colin Maughan and his wife Jane, and both were impressed.
“Having spent more than 40 years in those offices during my career at the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, I could not believe the amazing transformation achieved by Mark, Sally and their team in a relatively short period,” said Colin. “It is fantastic that a local business family has been able to change what were hum-drum offices into a stylish hospitality venue in the heart of Penrith.
“I am sure their hard work will be rewarded with the support of customers old and new — who are also in for a pleasant surprise when they step through the doors of the new-look Lounge for the first time.”
