Historic building picks up award following restoration

The Lowther Hotel, in Aire Street, which opened in 1826, won a built heritage award in the East Riding Council Chairman’s Awards 2011.

Originally named the Banks Arms Hotel, it became one of the town’s most important buildings, regularly holding board meetings of the Aire and Calder Navigation Company, and by 1830 was lavishly decorated with murals to show potential investors what Goole Docks would look like when complete.

But its glory faded and after years of decline it was little more than a boarded up pub when bought by current owners Howard and Julie Duckworth.

Yet after more than £1m of investment on a two-year restoration project, the Lowther reopened its doors last summer as a hotel, restaurant, meeting, conference and wedding venue.

Mrs Duckworth said she was delighted to win the award, and added: “The hotel was in a bad state of disrepair but as it is one of the oldest buildings in Goole, it was felt it should be saved and we were asked to take the project on.

“We had already renovated a number of buildings in the town and the hotel is now classed as one of the most important buildings in Europe for its industrial heritage.”

Last year it became a grade II star listed building.

Coun David Rudd, who presented the awards to a range of individuals, businesses and community groups, said: “They are all local people who have made a significant contribution to the East Riding.”