Inn back in the family – with top quality award

Apr 15 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

THE efforts of a couple who returned to the North East to bring a run-down inn back into the family have been recognised with a prestigious tourism quality award.

Chris and Kirsty Stevens had been living in Gloucestershire, but they returned to Northumberland last year to take over The Swan at Choppington.

Kirsty said: “It was heartbreaking the way the inn had declined. Prior to the last owners, my mother and father had owned the inn and we were desperate to restore it to its former glory, as much for their sakes as our own.”

They received a grant and advice via a scheme run by Northumberland Tourism in partnership with local authorities and Business Link.

The money was used to install new bathroom fittings, bedroom furniture and a dining area at the six-bedroom inn.

The improvements helped The Swan to achieve a three-star grading from Quality in Tourism, the assessment arm of national tourism agency VisitBritain.

Kirsty said: “We had an unannounced visit from the assessor that was extremely nerve-wracking, but it seemed that he was very impressed with what he found.

“Now that the inn is back in our family’s hands, I feel that we can only go from strength to strength.”

The Swan Inn is the first business to have completed the assessment after receiving help from the new grant scheme.

Terri Harper, from Northumberland Tourism, said: “The grant aims to raise quality levels, improve customer satisfaction and develop the area into a thriving tourist destination. Attaining this standard will not only help Chris and Kirsty attract more visitors, it will ensure they keep coming back, too.”