Barcelo Harrogate reopens following fatal fire

The blaze, which killed Nigel Butterfield, 41, severely damaged 35 bedrooms in the hotel’s east wing and forced the business to remain closed for four months until renovation work could be completed.

This week 50 staff members returned to work at the hotel, all of whom had been relocated to other Barcelo hotels in the meantime.

Vince Johnson, general manager at the Barcelo Harrogate, said the group had taken the opportunity to thoroughly renovate the hotel, although the damaged east wing will remain closed to the public until April 2011.

“The hotel suffered extensive fire and water damage to a narrow section of the east wing but pleasingly we are able to reopen the central and west wing with 88 of the bedrooms,” he said.

“We have redecorated and newly carpeted the lobby and most of the magnificent public areas. The hotel’s leisure club is also having a significant makeover and will reopen fully by early October.

“We have structured the building programme so that the works are self contained and guests can't be disturbed.”

'Unfortunate situation'​

Barcelo Harrogate also aims to reopen the main dining room in time for Christmas parties and weddings.

Charles Prew, chief executive of Barcelo UK, said: “We are very proud of how well the team from the Majestic have coped with this unfortunate situation and deeply grateful to both local business and individuals who have been so supportive of our efforts.”

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Update:​ The 21 hotels in the UK formerly operated by Spanish hotel company Barcelo have been re-launched under the Puma Hotels' Collection brand. For more information, visit www.pumahotels.co.uk​ ​