Raising the woof: Group opens new venue in Ambleside

One of Ambleside’s oldest inns has reopened in time for Christmas following a multi-million pound restoration.

Celebrity canine sensations Max, Paddy and Harry officially opened The Temperance Inn on Ambleside’s Lake Road today (Friday December 17) after a 12-month refurbishment by venue owners, The Inn Collection Group.

Onlookers cheered as the spaniel stars bit through a giant, ribbon-tied pig-in-blanket to officially open The Temperance Inn.

Afterwards, Max, Paddy and Harry were the first to go inside the dog-friendly inn, which is the first of The Inn Collection Group’s sites to have a dedicated street food concept alongside its ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ pub brand.

The ‘Grab and Go’ service will provide take away hot and cold food for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to eat on the move. There are also 85 table covers serving home-cooked pub meals.

Formerly The Churchill Inn, this historic Lakeland building – which dates back to the 1800s – has been completely transformed by The Inn Collection Group, who have twice been named Best Pub Employer in the national Publican Awards.

The interior has been remodelled to create a new bar and dining room area that embraces the street food concept, with an industrial feel, marble counters and Italian-style patina mirrors.

Each of the inn’s 27 bedrooms across the four-storey site have been refurbished, with premium rooms offering fell views.

General manager Daniel Chrisp said: “It’s the best Christmas gift to see this wonderful old building given a new lease of life and to be able to open our doors to customers again – and, of course, to have been give the paws up by Max, Paddy and Harry who are just magical.

“We’re really excited about The Temperance Inn which is completely different to our sister The Inn Collection Group venues. It’s the first in the group to provide a new street food concept so customers can fuel up quickly with quality, good food and get on the go again.”

He added: “To open in time for Christmas is the icing on the cake. There’s an amazing atmosphere. The inn looks so festive and welcoming with its Christmas decorations up.

“We’re very proud of The Temperance Inn and can’t wait to welcome people in to see the transformation.”

As part of The Temperance Inn’s opening celebrations, the pub is supporting local charities Lake District Search and Rescue Association and The Lake District Foundation. Customers are being given ‘charity chips’ with a £1 value equivalent to donate to either charity inside the inn.

The opening of The Temperance Inn has created 30 jobs, with team members benefiting from new staff rewards packages.

The Temperance Inn is The Inn Collection Group’s eighth pub with rooms in Cumbria alongside sister Ambleside venues, The Wateredge Inn, The Waterhead Inn and The Ambleside Inn. The group also owns The Angel Inn at Bowness-on-Windermere, The Swan at Grasmere, The Pheasant Inn at Bassenthwaite and The Coniston Inn at Coniston.

Elsewhere, the Alchemy-backed group’s growing portfolio of pubs with rooms in Northumberland, Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Lancashire.