KENDAL'S landmark Riverside Hotel has been snapped up by a South Lakeland businessman who has unveiled plans for a £500,000 upgrade and jobs boost, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

Jonathan Denby takes control of the three-star hotel, which was on the market for £2.5 million, today (Friday) from Macdonald Hotels.

He also announced that he has bought a block of property and land next to the hotel on Beezon Road. Mr Denby, 56, said he was in confidential talks with a developer who wanted to buy part of the site and build on it.

Mr Denby, and his wife, Margaret, who live in Grange-over-Sands, already own the Newby Bridge, and Crosthwaite's Damson Dene hotels. They had been looking for another hotel where they could accommodate prospective guests that they currently have to turn away because occupancy is so high.

The 47-bedroom Riverside would be ideal for people on short breaks, and for commercial business, he said.

The 26 employees at the Stramongate Bridge hotel would be kept on, and Mr Denby said more staff would be needed as he developed the hotel.

His plans include a state-of-the-art leisure complex with an indoor swimming pool, spa pool, steam room, sauna and beauty treatment rooms; upgrading the bedrooms with four-poster beds and Jacuzzis; extending the function rooms to seat 250, and re-opening the bar which has been closed for several years.

See The Westmorland Gazette for the full story.