NEW owners have taken over a hotel and restaurant in York city centre.

Galtres Lodge, on Low Petergate, has been sold by Colliers International on behalf of Nick Williams to Layton Hill Hotels Ltd. It will remain a hotel and restaurant and continued to be named Galtres Lodge.

Colliers International marketed Galtres Lodge, which is situated only yards from York Minster, at an asking price of £150,000 for the leasehold interest.

Rebecca Hill, a Layton Hill Hotels director, who will run the hotel with her partner Christopher Layton, said: “We are delighted to be the new owners of Galtres Lodge Hotel as purchasing a hotel has been a dream of ours for some time.

"With our combined background in hospitality and passion for 'saving' historic buildings, we believe that we can create something really very special.

"The building itself is stunning, having originally been two Georgian townhouses that were joined together. Our aim is to uncover and restore some of the history of the building, as most of the special features have been covered up over the years, which is often the case with these types of buildings.

"We have already made some small improvements in the short time that we have had the business and we have grand plans for a full refurbishment in the future, which will most likely take place in early 2019.

Miss Hill added: "The location is also second to none."

The new owners are planning a full refurbishment of all 13 bedrooms, restaurant and all public areas.

One bedroom has been completely refurbished already and several other rooms, as well as the corridor, have also been redecorated.

"The hotel remains open," Miss Hill said.

"Work will continue to happen as the business is running, either by completing work in-between check-in/out times, or when rooms are not in use on quieter days."

Hotels director at Colliers International, Peter Bean, commented: "Our marketing generated a large number of viewings and early serious interest with buyers recognising the strength of the location for food and beverage sales and letting bedroom trade, being very central and so close to the Minster."