Northcote sold to Stafford London owner Britannia Hospitality

Northcote Hotel is home to the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant, and moves to its new owner along with Northcote at the Rovers and Café Northcote.

The venues join Britannia’s portfolio, which includes the five-star The Stafford London, in St James’s, where Ben Tish is culinary director.​​

Craig Bancroft, managing director of Northcote, and Craig Jackson, general manager will remain running the Northcote businesses with Lisa Goodwin Allen, executive chef and the existing staff.

“All the personnel are remaining the same and we look forward to a really bright future with this wonderful partnership with a five-star iconic London property,” says Bancroft.

“I am remaining leading the team at Northcote. All the share capital of Northcote Hotel Ltd has been purchased by Britannia Hospitality. We are achieving a very good future for this business which has already achieved so many things.

“It’s now got the opportunity to achieve a great deal more and it’s just great for the staff and everyone involved.”

He refused to say what the plans were to develop the business. “We have a vision but we can’t share it until we’ve shared it with the staff.”

“We needed to find the right partner and I think Britannia Hospitality is probably the perfect partner for a small country house hotel in Lancashire.”

Last year Northcote sold its Ribble Valley Inns pub portfolio​​ to Brunning & Price, the pub division of The Restaurant Group, for an undisclosed sum.