Member News
Northumberland-based hospitality group, The Doxford Group have secured a £5.7m finance package from NatWest to enhance its current market-leading offering in weddings, private events and luxury accommodation.
The Doxford Group currently operates weddings, events and overnight stays from two award-winning venues in Alnwick, Charlton Hall Estate and Doxford Barns with plans to expand.
The financial support from NatWest will facilitate the ongoing expansion of Charlton Hall Estate with a new 15-bedroom hotel, restaurant and bar, set to open early 2023. The addition of the hotel will enhance guest experience, elevate existing services and create a multi-visitor destination in the heart of Northumberland.
Doxford Barns, established in 2017, will see a significant expansion in the form of seven new bedrooms, bridal boutique with exclusive access to the ceremony room and event reception area thanks to the support of NatWest. Plans are currently in place for the development to start late 2022.
Before launching The Doxford Group, Owner and Director, Richard Shell gained entrepreneurial experience through a summer internship programme in Edinburgh with NatWest Group before enlisting on RBS Business Service Leadership Graduate Scheme in the Scottish capital. With over two years in the business, Richard left in 2014 to pursue his innovative business ideas.
Richard Shell, Owner and Director at The Doxford Group, said: “This is a monumental moment for The Doxford Group as it allows us to deliver on the short-term projects we’ve been working on for several months including the launch of our new hotel at Charlton Hall Estate making it a leisure destination in Northumberland like no other as well as our plans to develop Doxford Barns to enhance what we have built over the past seven years. Our plans will generate 40 new jobs within The Doxford Group which is great for the county.
“To have the support from NatWest is significant and something I am grateful for as they share our ambition for further expansion in the way of acquisitions of more venues and our hotel. I started my career with the group in Edinburgh which drove me to act on my entrepreneurial skills, open my first wedding and events venue, Doxford Barns and now take The Doxford Group to new and exciting heights.”
Group Finance Director at The Doxford Group, Mark Gubbins, commented: “This deal is the culmination of several months work and to have secured such funding as the hospitality sector recovers from the pandemic, and faces new challenges, is testimony to the offering that we possess at Doxford. Having worked closely with Mike Cross and his team at NatWest previously I know the sector expertise that they possess and we welcome them on board as we take The Doxford Group to the next level in the coming years, with several exciting and innovative projects in the pipeline.”
Michael Cross, Relationship Director at NatWest, said: “Richard, Mark and the team at The Doxford Group are at an exciting period in terms of the organisation’s growth and development. Throughout our time working together, I have been impressed by the management team’s vision for the business and how they have grown the business. It’s a pleasure to support them with funding for their expansion plans.”
