Revamp for quality hotel in top location
0 Comments | Lincolnshire Echo, Jul 28, 2010 | by Mel West
AN HISTORIC city hotel will be given a makeover, thanks to ambitious new owners Paul Catlow and Saera Ahmad.
The couple plan to develop the Castle Hotel, in Bailgate, Lincoln, and are currently working alongside local architects and interior designers to refurbish all areas of the hotel and restaurant over the next six to nine months.
The Grade II listed building was built on the site of Lincoln’s Roman Forum in 1852. Starting life as a school, the building has also served as an evening institute, parish rooms, army cadet centre, Sunday school, riding school, occupation centre and repair workshop before becoming a hotel in 1979.
It enjoys a good reputation and was recently awarded the highest quality rating of any Lincoln hotel at 80 per cent by the AA.
The new owners plan to build on this success by investing heavily in refurbishing the interior of the hotel, while increasing the capacity from its current 20 bedrooms by maximising the interior space of the building and taking on additional staff as the business grows. The first phase of refurbishment will be starting this year and will involve upgrading and updating the design and layout of the bedrooms, with a traditional-yet-modern theme to complement the building’s Victorian exterior.
Although neither of the new owners has a background in hospitality, they are looking to use their experience in the marketing sector to build on the Castle Hotel’s current reputation and help the business realise its full potential.
Paul has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing and was a shareholder and director of the Manchester-based marketing company MediaVest Manchester Ltd. Lincoln-born Saera has a background in advertising sales, having worked for major broadcasters and publishers, including Emap Radio and News International.
Paul said: “In 2008, we decided it was time for a fresh start, so I sold my shares in MediaVest and we made our escape to the country.
“Saera was brought up in Lincoln, so we decided to move back to the area where we have bought and renovated an old vicarage.
“Since then we have had our first baby and were looking for a new challenge that we could apply our marketing skills to.
“Over the past few years, Bailgate has seen a lot of excellent development and when we first saw the Castle Hotel was up for sale we saw a great opportunity.
“It is a stunning building in a great location for both business visitors and holidaymakers and with Bailgate enjoying continued development we knew that the time was right to take on the challenge.
“Our vision is to help the business realise its full potential through refurbishment of all areas, new branding and a strong marketing campaign
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