Northumberland holiday complex open after £13m overhaul

A historic, listed mansion, which was destroyed by fire before sitting derelict for more than 20 years, has been officially reopened by the Duke of Northumberland.
The Duke of Northumberland with Geoffrey Baber, chairman of the Holiday Property Bond (HPB), Robert Boyce, of HPB, and Ian Nicholson, of architects JMP.The Duke of Northumberland with Geoffrey Baber, chairman of the Holiday Property Bond (HPB), Robert Boyce, of HPB, and Ian Nicholson, of architects JMP.
The Duke of Northumberland with Geoffrey Baber, chairman of the Holiday Property Bond (HPB), Robert Boyce, of HPB, and Ian Nicholson, of architects JMP.

This follows a £13million redevelopment of Lucker Hall by its new owners, the Holiday Property Bond (HPB), which bought the building in 2008 from Northumberland Estates.

HPB now has more than 42,000 investors and owns 32 holiday developments across Europe with Lucker Hall being its 17th in the UK.

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Work began in 2014 to turn the fire-damaged ruin in the centre of the village into 44 apartments and cottages, ranging in size from studio apartments to four-bedroom cottages suitable for four couples or families. Other facilities for HPB members to enjoy at the new site include an indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room, games room, crazy golf course, short tennis and children’s playground.

The HPB will also be opening a new village shop in Lucker, which will be available to the whole village as well as bondholders.

With the first visitors due to arrive next month, the HPB is predicting 90 per cent occupancy, potentially bringing around 8,500 visitors per year to the area. It is estimated that visitors will spend in excess of £1.1million each year and the site will also employ 14 members of staff.

Geoffrey Baber, HPB chairman, said: “We are delighted to have finally completed our Northumberland Project here at Lucker Hall.

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“We periodically carry out surveys of our 42,000 bondholders, asking them where they would like to see us create new holiday developments. Northumberland topped the poll for a long time, but it took us some years to find the right location.

“With the help of architects JMP of Lancaster, we believe we have come up with something really special at Lucker – something our bondholders will enjoy for many years to come.

“Today marks the end of a long road for us and I would like to thanks all those involved. Firstly, the Duke of Northumberland for coming here today and for selling us the site. Also the builders Gentoo Construction for all their hard work. And not least, the residents of Lucker village for their patience during what has been a massive building project.

“We are delighted to add Lucker Hall to our portfolio, and in so doing, hope to play a small part in boosting the local economy and tourism industry in this beautiful part of the world.”