FOREIGN Secretary, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, has made an official visit to the newly-renovated Scotch Corner hotel just outside Darlington - and to the room in which his parliamentary career was launched.
Mr Hague was welcomed to the iconic hotel, now The Holiday Inn Darlington A1 Scotch Corner, at the weekend by owners the North-east- based Cairn Group to view the results of a £3m refurbishment.
During his visit to the hotel, at the junction of the A1 and the A66 near Darlington, Mr Hague praised the work and said the function room brought back very fond memories.
“This was the room back in 1988 where I was selected as the candidate for Richmond,” he said. “So I remember it very well!”
More than 50 jobs have been created as a result of the refurbishment and during his visit to the hotel, which was established in 1939, the Foreign Secretary met staff and was given a tour of its facilities.
“It is an excellent refurbishment,” he said. “And a massive improvement on what is widely known as an iconic building.”
Designed to appeal to everyone from families to business delegates the hotel boasts 91 executive and standard en-suite bedrooms and a fully-staffed business lounge with computers, internet access, refreshments and private meeting space.
Its new 75-cover Fratello’s restaurant serves Italian dishes combining traditional ingredients with contemporary culinary techniques.
Work is under way to create a spa facility incorporating relaxation and treatment rooms, nail bar and beauty salon and guests will also be given complimentary use of an indoor, heated swimming pool and the hotel’s leisure and fitness facilities.
“This hotel is very important to the local economy,” Mr Hague added. “And this investment will make a huge difference, not only to the people in the local area but in what it offers to visitors.”