Council-owned hotel to receive £1.8m refurbishment

A hotel in Sleaford is set to be refurbished and modernised with an investment of £1.8m from North Kesteven District Council.

The authority purchased the Carre Arms last year to protect "an important asset" and promote regeneration opportunities for the town.

They said work would begin within the next two weeks to the external frontage, bedrooms, roofs and reception and are scheduled to last 18 months to two years.

The council said were able to purchase the hotel with income from business rates, 50% of which they are able to keep "for investment into the local economy".

The Carre Arms management company is a private sector independent business with the Council as the sole shareholder.

Improvements already made by the company over the past year include repairs and a kitchen upgrade.

The council bought the property for just under £1.5m last year. They said priority since the purchase had been to build up the business with weddings, conferences and events, which they said had increased five-fold.

Originally, the investment work was going to take place over the first 10 years of the council's ownership, but they said some of the work was more urgent and extensive and needed to be brought forward.

The council said new planting would maximise the outdoor space for events and special occasions.

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