New chapter for Guy’s Thatched Hamlet after Bowland Inns and Hotels acquisition

Bowland Inns and Hotels have bought The Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow, home to Guy’s Eating Establishment and Owd Nell’s Tavern.

In February, the iconic Lancashire canal side hotel and restaurant business closed after nearly five decades of operation.

The owners of the Bilsborrow venue made the announcement online and all 94 workers were made redundant.

Ribble Valley hospitality business, Bowland Inns and Hotels, which is behind the James’ Places group of country inns, hotels, wedding venues and Bowland Brewery has now acquired the venue.

James Warburton, owner of Bowland Inns and Hotels, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to now confirm the acquisition of The Thatched Hamlet at Bilsborrow.

"The Thatched Hamlet is so much more than a pub, restaurant and hotel, it is an iconic destination in its own right. It has been a fixture of the North West’s hospitality landscape for more than 40 years.

"You only have to read the social media posts, newspaper articles and comments following the recent surprise closure to see just how important and significant this place is to so many people.

"We aim to get the site working again as quickly as possible, it’s important for the buildings, for the staff, and it’s important for local suppliers too.

"The first job is a deep clean and then some back of house works to the cellars and the kitchens, all essential first investments to underpin everything else we plan to do.

James added that they are set to invest in the outdoor areas 'to try to make the best of the fabulous location and the equally fabulous summer that we surely have coming down the line'.

"Then we’ll be working our way through the interiors room by room as the ebbs and flows of the weekday trade allows.”

The task ahead for the company isn’t just about refurbishing the buildings and restoring the site, it’s about rebuilding the business side too.

For many years the Thatched Hamlet was famous for hosting many annual events and festivals including the Oyster Festival, a four-day event based around the sea-bed delicacy that played host to the great and the good of Lancashire’s sporting, business and banking communities for light-hearted entertainment, networking and even a bit of deal-making.

James added: “We’ll certainly be bringing a few of the bigger festivals back to life once we’ve got the day to day side sorted and we hope to bring a few new ideas to sit alongside the cricket pitch and the bowling green and really make the most of the fabulous setting and equally fabulous facilities.

"We also have plans and ideas to create a truly unique weddings and events space, able to host parties and celebrations of all sizes and all types.

"Watch this space, this will be a really exciting, and great addition to the six other award-winning Dream Venues by James’ Places.”

Bowland Inns & Hotels owns and operates the James’ Places group of country inns, hotels, weddings and events venues across the North West.

The company also owns the multi-award winning Bowland Brewery, based at Holmes Mill in Clitheroe, itself an award-winning historic textile mill conversion.