Couple aim to make hotel the new inn place

May 20 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A COUPLE have swapped the Cairngorms for the coast after being appointed the new managers of a refurbished hotel in Northumberland.

Sam Robinson, an executive chef with AA awards for excellence for his work in London, Stratford and Gloucestershire, and his partner Julia Baker will run the Bamburgh Castle Inn in Seahouses when it reopens for business next month. Formerly known as the Bamburgh Castle Hotel, the 30-bedroom hotel has been undergoing the first phase of a £1.65m revamp after being bought by Lindisfarne Inns Ltd.

Mr Robinson and Ms Baker moved to Seahouses from Braemar, where they managed the Invercauld Inn.

“We are delighted to be taking on the running of the Bamburgh Castle Inn. It’s an exciting project, not only because it is a new venture but also because it is a brand new concept with a real wow factor,” said Mr Robinson.

Ms Baker said: “It is our aim to make the new Bamburgh Castle Inn an integral part of the community.”

The couple have more that 50 years’ of hospitality experience between them and will be responsible for 40 staff, whose jobs were created by the inn’s expansion.

The second phase of the refurbishment, including an extension, is due to be completed in the autumn.

The inn will reopen for walk-in trade in mid-June and bookings are being taken for July 1 onwards.