Daniel Thwaites plc has completed the purchase of the 14 bedroom Judges Lodgings in York to expand the Thwaites Inns of Character portfolio.
An iconic Grade I listed building, the Judges Lodgings occupies a prime city centre site – just three minutes’ walk from York Minster and centrally located for both leisure and business visits to the city.
Originally built as a private residence for an eminent physician, it was bought in 1806 as the official judge’s residence in York. It remained in use in that capacity until 1976 when it was transformed into a hotel and underwent a subsequent re-development in 2007 by a private entrepreneur into a ‘boutique’ hotel with cellar bar and restaurant.
Plans are afoot to complete a major re-development of the historic cellar bar and extensive outdoor terraces, but in the interim the property will continue to trade as a townhouse hotel offering a good quality bed and breakfast experience for guests. Upon completion of the development next year The Judges Lodgings will join Thwaites Inns of Character.
Antony Spencer, Managing Director of Shire Hotels, comments “We are delighted to have secured a foothold for Thwaites in such a fantastic location and are very optimistic about the future for The Judges Lodgings.
“It’s such an integral part of the history of the city, and we want to ensure that we develop and refurbish the property in such a way that the it will be a prime city centre destination that visitors to York will want to try and one that the people of York can be proud of once more”.