Visitors flock to Derby's Cathedral Quarter Hotel after new owners take over
Published On Thursday 7 Nov 2024 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
New management at one of Derby’s major hotels has revealed that business is “extremely good” since they bought it in May.
The owners of the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, Lavendish Leisure, say guest bookings are up, and most rooms are sold out at the weekend.
Hotelier Isuru Akalanka, the newly appointed operations manager, said that Lavendish Leisure is enjoying putting its stamp on the Grade II-listed Cathedral Quarter Hotel on St Mary’s Gate, and is determined to make it a top destination for visitors to Derby.
He flew in from Sri Lanka to take up his role and says the best way to learn about a hotel is to live there – so he’s moved in!Isuru said: “I’m staying at the hotel right now because I need to be here to oversee everything.
When I start running a new hotel, I like to move in for a while. It is what I do, and it works for me.
“In the beginning, the hotel was very quiet but there were quite a few things that needed our attention behind the scenes. I also had to recruit a team of staff and find some top chefs. Four months later, I can report that we are fully booked most weekends, and this is significant for us. When the hotel is busy with guests and there is laughter in the bar, the whole place comes to life.”
Speaking about the acquisition in May, Rashmi Dedigama, said: “We are fully aware that the hotel was once a jewel in Derby’s crown, and it is our intension to do everything we can to put the Cathedral Quarter Hotel back on the map.
“It is such an iconic building that oozes sophistication and luxury, and we want to celebrate its unique personality.
“Derby needs a boutique hotel like the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, and we are working extremely hard behind the scenes. Peter and I have a portfolio of hotel, but we are excited about this one!”The Cathedral Quarter Hotel has 38 individually designed ensuite bedrooms, a stunning function room for events like weddings, live gigs and corporate celebrations, and two bars – Bar 16 and Bogart’s Lounge Bar.
The Victorian property was originally built in the 19th century and previously served as a police station and a council headquarters.
Isuru said: “Everyone knows that the late Queen Elizabeth II dined at the hotel in 2010,” he said. “But wouldn’t it be wonderful if, one day, the King decided to visit us?
“The hotel is stunning, and we really want to celebrate everything we have here. We know it will take time but right now we are enjoying an extremely busy period.”
Isuru said: “We still have an old police cell in the hotel and there are tunnels underground which were used to get to the neighbouring Magistrates’ Court. I am pleased to say that a lot of the original décor remains in the boutique hotel, like the impressive marble and alabaster lobby and the ornate plaster ceilings and oak-frame windows in the Opulence restaurant.
“It is a wonderful hotel, and I am determined and delighted to breathe new life into it. We have a lot of plans for the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, which will include some live music events and themed nights.”
| Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Toast a Derbyshire First with Premium Alcohol-Free Offerings Two of Derbyshires leading four-star hotels - Casa Hotel in Chesterfield and Peak Edge Hotel in the Peak District - are raising the bar for mindful Read The Article | |
| The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton launches 'The Cupawla' - a menu just for dogs A stylish new cafe and visitor centre in one of the Peak District's most scenic walking destinations has gone to the dogs - in the best Read The Article | |
| BEAR named finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards Midlands, UK - BEAR has been named a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Equity-Backed Entrepreneur Read The Article | |
| Celebrate The Summer Season At Award-Winning Fischer's Baslow Hall What better way to enjoy summer than an experience at Fischers Baslow Hall. Whether you're venturing for a long-earned getaway or simply calling for Read The Article | |
| The Ashford Arms Shortlisted For Best Country Pub In The Great British Pub Awards 2025 The Ashford Arms, a beautifully restored country pub with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, has been shortlisted in the Best Country Pub category at the Read The Article | |
| The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow Wins Gold at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025 The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow has been awarded Gold in the Taste of England category in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 Read The Article | |
| Top Nottingham chef celebrates one year with star collaborations The highly successful first year in business of a popular restaurant in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate is being celebrated with a unique series of guest chef collaborations. Read The Article | |
| Casa Hotel Celebrates 15 Years of Hospitality Excellence in Chesterfield and Welcomes 370000th Guest Casa Hotel is celebrating 15 years of success and has welcomed its 370,000th visitor this month, having firmly established itself Read The Article | |
| Experience Golfing Bliss at Peak Edge Hotel with the Stay and Golf for Two Package For golf lovers seeking a perfect escape, Peak Edge Hotel is delighted to offer a Stay and Golf for Two package, providing a seamless blend of relaxation Read The Article | |
| Derby's Cathedral Quarter Hotel reveals fresh new look and now proudly serves Starbucks The Cathedral Quarter Hotel, a Grade II listed landmark in Derby's city centre, has unveiled a refreshed new look following a Read The Article | |