Spa day for The Coniston Hotel thanks to Yorkshire Bank

04 November 2015

An award-winning Yorkshire hotel is launching a new £2.4m spa development today, with support from Yorkshire Bank.

The Coniston Hotel, which was named Best Large Hotel in Yorkshire at the prestigious White Rose Awards in November 2014, today opened the doors to a new 16,500 sq ft spa adjacent to the hotel, backed by a funding arrangement from Yorkshire Bank. The deal was arranged by Graham Cairns, relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Bradford.

The Coniston Spa, which will create at least 35 new jobs for the local market, features a 15-metre swimming pool, thermal suite, gym, dance studio, relaxation and dining areas, and an outdoor spa pool and terrace. It also has eight treatment rooms, including a couples’ suite, and a nail and make-up lounge. The 71-bedroom Coniston Hotel forms part of the Coniston Estate, which has been home to the Bannister family since the late 1960s. The estate comprises the Coniston Hall, The Coniston Hotel, Coniston Shooting Ground, The Coniston 4X4 and Falconry Centre.

The spa will be managed by Sam Wilson, a former spa director for the 5-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, who has worked in spas throughout the world as well as on some of the most famous cruise liners afloat.

Michael Bannister, Chairman of The Coniston Hotel, said: “We at The Coniston Hotel are very excited with our new spa development. It rounds off our hotel offerings, making it a true destination hotel and giving the local community a great spa facility. This latest development is key to our growth plans and we’ve worked very closely with Graham Cairns at Yorkshire Bank who has worked hard to understand our business.”

Andy Davidson, Head of Yorkshire Bank’s West Yorkshire Business and Private Banking Centre, said: “This is a fantastic addition to what is already a highly successful business. The addition of spa facilities not only generates a new income stream to the hotel but also creates a host of new jobs in the area.

“Our specialist knowledge of and focus on different sectors helps to bring a challenge to the market, giving small and medium sized business the speed and flexibility they require to fulfil their growth ambitions.”

Yorkshire Bank recently launched a series of lending initiatives for UK businesses, designed to encourage growth for new and existing customers. As well as capital-free periods for up to five years, the Bank has also introduced high percentage funding for businesses to purchase trading premises.

Yorkshire Bank has strengthened its support for UK SMEs by becoming the first to partner with the British Business Bank under its ENABLE Guarantees scheme. Up to £125m of new lending by Yorkshire Bank will help more small businesses achieve their growth ambitions.