Refurbishment celebrated with builders tea

The Inn on the Lake has been transformed thanks to the skills of the local craftsmen used to do the work. As a thank you, they were invited back for afternoon team with their wives and girlfriends. Lake District Hotels Ltd who own the Inn on the Lake, always use local suppliers where possible and the team of craftsmen working at refurbishment at the lake side hotel were all Cumbrian based.

Managing the work was Ken Donald who has his own business based in Seaton and has worked for the hotel group for thirty years. The work started on the hotel in November but took a break through the busy Christmas period before the downstairs was completed in time for a wedding at the beginning of March. The finishing touchesto the stairs and five bedrooms were finished in time for Easter.

Ken said “As a team of self employed tradesmen, we enjoy working for the hotel group. Most of the major refurbishment work is carried out in the quieter winter months, it means we get to work inside
during bad weather, which is a real bonus.”

David Ellwood and Alan Butler from Tilecraft Cumbria spend most of their time in bathrooms but at Inn on the Lake they were also responsible for the slate entrance. They said “it’s very rewarding to work
on one of their hotels because they use such good quality materials. The slate floor entrance makes a real statement and everyone who visits see’s our work!”

The hotel now looks resplendent with its rich plum and gold and staff wanted to thank the builderswho worked hard to be ‘unseen by guests’ during the transition. Kit Graves, Director of Lake District
Hotels Ltd said “There are some very skilled craftsmen in Cumbria and we have used this team oflocal builders, joiners, electricians and tilers for years. They know the high standards we set and
always work in an unobtrusive way, minimising disruption for our guests. We thought inviting them with their wives for afternoon tea would be a nice way to say thank you. It was great to see their own
transformation into guests for a change.”

Adrian Straughton a joiner working on the hotels for thirteen years brought his wife Lindsay who summed up the afternoon “after hearing them talk about work, it’s nice to come and see the finished
thing. The hotel looks lovely, the views are stunning and the afternoon tea was a real treat – we’re coming back with our friends.”