The new name has been revealed for a beautiful new boutique hotel being created on the shore of Lake Windermere.
The Peninsula Hotel will open its doors following the revitalisation of the derelict Pearsall House at Far Sawrey in Cumbria.
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group is delighted to have been backed by local planning officials, councillors and local residents with its vision of improving the former water research building into a top quality destination hotel.
The firm, which has a history of restoring key heritage sites across the North West, is now inviting people in the local community to apply for key roles at the venue.
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Chairman Andrew Mikhail has expressed his thanks to everyone who has supported his ambition to significantly elevate a site which has fallen into disrepair, making it a facility for the area to be proud of.
Visitors to the new The Peninsula Hotel will be able to enjoy holidays, pub meals and events in a unique venue that represents pure escapism.
Andrew Mikhail has also revealed his personal passion for the area which he knows very well from many visits since he was a young boy.
Andrew and wife, Vicky, are now excited about the possibilities ahead.
He said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to put my own stamp on Lake Windermere. I’ve been coming here since I was a young boy with my parents and have amazing memories throughout the years.
“As I came into my late teens I ended up buying a little boat to bring on Lake Windermere with my friends and it feels a little surreal. It is something that has continued with our family as it grew and is a place very close to mine and my wife Vicky’s heart.
“To end up with something that we’ve been staring at for years I still pinch myself.
“It has happened to me before, in Southport with The Bold Hotel and The Grand and in St.Helens with The Eccleston Arms, all places I visited as a youngster.
“As in many times in my life, somehow another old disused fading building found me once again.”
Brimming with potential, Pearsall House is a unique development, built in 1973 for the Freshwater Biological Association. On its 50th anniversary, it now faces an exciting new future.
Andrew Mikhail said: “I saw an amazing opportunity to turn an old fading disused commercial building on the lake into a magnificent boutique hotel, only metres from the shoreline and on a beautiful peninsula.
“The hotel will be appropriately named the Peninsula Hotel.
“The build-up to this project has given me plenty of sleepless nights. Alas I bought the building with a vision but unfortunately no planning permission.
“I had to convince my bank it was a calculated gamble that was worth taking and we all know banks don’t like taking gambles. Fortunately we were backed, having always delivered, and we will deliver again.
“I have to give a huge thank you to Westmorland and Furness Council, both the Planning Department in recommending the project for approval and the members of the Planning Committee for sharing my vision as they voted in favour of the hotel.
“I’m looking forward to developing this and other opportunities in the future and creating more jobs in what will be a high class venue, fitting for the area.
“This will be another reason for more people to enjoy the lakes, especially the quieter side.
“With the public ferry only a small walking distance away you can be on the more touristy side and in the mix and hustle and bustle, if you wish, with a seven minute ferry crossing that is frequent.
“What we will deliver is a place that will epitomise the accolade of being called and in the midst of a ‘World Heritage Site’.
“We are working with local architects Mason Gillibrand. One of the directors, Julian Handy, and his highly professional team have been excellent to work with and a great choice having carried out numerous successful developments around the lake already.
“I would also like to thank the APM design team and my friends Andy and Tracy McCluskey along with their team based in Darwen who are levels above in my opinion.
“I’m looking forward to working together on this scheme after our recent successful project in The Grand in Southport.
“Finally we have various jobs both in management, housekeeping and bar work coming available very soon so if you’re looking to take the next step please email us at: recruitment@peninsulahotel.co.uk”
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Managing Director Rob Ashcroft said: “Our whole team is excited about this project as we add the venue to our operational portfolio.
“Pearsall House is in an amazing location, right on the shore of Lake Windermere.
“The potential for what we can achieve here is incredibly exciting.
“Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group already has an impressive track record at sites across the North West for investing significant sums into regenerating historic landmark buildings, bringing them back to life and creating new jobs and unforgettable experiences for customers.
“This is going to become another bustling, high class venue and we can’t wait for people to see the finished result.”
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group is an acclaimed hospitality company that operates some of the most impressive venues in the region and is dedicated to providing exceptional experiences for guests.
Founded in 2015 by Andrew Mikhail and Rob Ashcroft, it aims to create a collection of world-class hotels and other venues that offer unparalleled comfort, elegance, and hospitality.
Discover more at: www.mhalg.com
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