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Former church offers sanctuary to tourists
AN historic 200-year-old former church has been transformed into a successful tourism business.
Jeff and Jill Sutheran opened St Cuthbert's House, in North Sunderland, last summer, converting the landmark building into a luxury six-bedroom guest house.
The renovation of the property, formerly St Cuthbert's United Reformed Church, has paid dividends for the pair, with bookings for the coming season already looking healthy.
Jeff said: "Our business has got off to a great start, and we're delighted that despite the gloomy news of economic recession everywhere, the prospects for visitor numbers to Northumberland this coming year look very good, judging by our bookings diary."
The transformation of St Cuthbert's House, built in 1810 as a Presbyterian church, has incorporated several of its original features, including the pulpit, which now forms a viewing gallery on the first floor, overlooking the guests' lounge, which was formerly the sanctuary.
The bedrooms and the main meeting space have been named after some of those who first brought the gospel to Northumberland, including Cuthbert, Bede, Oswald and Aidan.
Jeff added: "We have really enjoyed renovating this historic and prominent building, which has been central to village life for 200 years.
"We're so pleased that it can continue to welcome visitors and be part of the village's heritage."
As part of the third annual British Tourism Week, which highlights the contribution tourism makes to the economy, Sir Alan Beith MP visited the guest house.
Over the past five years, Northumberland has seen a steady increase of five per cent in overnight visitors, which presently numbers almost two million, and their spend is worth almost 300m to the local economy.
Sir Alan said: "I am very glad to support local tourism businesses in British Tourism Week.
"We have so much to offer tourists, and tourism is vital for jobs in our area."
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Weather for Northumberland
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
