Revamped hillside pub 'not aimed' at hens and stags
GoogleThe newest owners of a historical pub have dismissed rumours its rooms may be marketed at stag and hen parties.
Cumbria's highest pub, the Kirkstone Pass Inn, had provided respite for travellers for centuries and was bought by Supreme Escapes in 2021.
The firm is renovating the already existing rooms and turning the old keeper's house into holiday accommodation, but said the bar area would not change and would operate for the public, whether there was a booking or not.
The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) said it recognised concerns about "potential loss of historic character" and had opened an investigation to monitor the use of the building.
The centuries-old former pub stands at 1,481ft (451m) above sea level, on an exposed hillside above Ambleside.
It was frequented by visitors who made it up the Kirkstone Pass - known locally as "the struggle" - before it was put on the market in 2021, sitting empty for years.
Recent works sparked concerns online about the future use of the site and whether the changes were kept within the building's character and location.
'Almost derelict'
Jerry Huppert, a partner in Supreme Escapes, told BBC Radio Cumbria the building was being renovated sympathetically and they had already spent about £3m on the building.
"The pub was very, very tired - almost derelict beyond repair," he said.
He added while located four miles (6.4km) away from the nearest neighbours, the accommodation was not being marketed to hen and stag parties - as had been speculated online.
He added: "Although our company generally specialises in holiday lets, we have recently moved into a new business model of boutique hotels and this is our first one."
The building would also continue to operate as a pub, Mr Huppert said, and he was hoping it would reopen in the summer.
Car park plans
Planning manager for LDNPA Julie Birkett said the building was not listed and therefore internal works did not require planning permission, "regardless of their impact on internal historic features or character".
She added a previous investigation concluded the building's new and renewed roughcast render was not an act of development as defined by law, and therefore did not need planning permission.
Concerns had also been raised online about preserving public access to the pub's car park, which is used by walkers.
Mr Huppert said there was a long lease on the carpark to the LDNPA.
"We have approached [the LDNPA] to see what their plan is at the end of the lease and they said they will touch base to us about a year or two before the end of the lease," he said.
The LDNPA confirmed the lease was due to expire in 2029 and renewal options would be considered closer to that date.