Award-winning hotelier acquires Darwen's Whitehall

The Whitehall Hotel & Restaurant in Darwen has been acquired by Michael Huckerby, the owner of the nearby The Lawrence Hotel in Padiham.

The building, which sits in 1.8 acres of land, was originally erected as a private residence in 1898 before being converted into a 15-bed hotel in the 1960s. It also features two function suites and a restaurant.

A gin distillery was added during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, contributing to it winning the Resilience & Innovation Award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022. 

The new owner's existing venture, The Lawrence Hotel, is also an award-winner, claiming the Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality title at the recent Burnley Business Awards.

Michael Huckerby said: "We are thrilled to be taking over the Whitehall Hotel and will be looking to start a rolling refurbishment, to bring the building back to its former Victorian glory."

The deal was brokered by Tom O’Malley, associate director – hotels, at Christie & Co. He said: "This was a fantastic opportunity for an operator looking to expand their portfolio.

"The hotel has undergone a significant refurbishment and restoration programme since it was acquired by the previous owners in 2003, and we have no doubt Michael, and his team will continue to build on their success."