Strands & Screes Holdings Limited has secured a £900,000 business loan from NatWest to complete the purchase of popular The Strands Hotel, Screes Inn and Strands Brewery at the foothills of Scafell Pike.
The NatWest funding deal will enable the local business to upgrade The Strands Hotel and expand the on-site brewing and distilling operations, sustaining and creating local jobs in an increasingly competitive hospitality market. Upgrades will see major renovations made to the accommodation rooms and kitchens, allowing the business to serve food.
Situated at the foot of Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain, The Strands Hotel and Screes Inn dates back to the 18th century with deep roots in the local community. The popular hotel is currently fully open, and The Screes is open for accommodation. The Screes will be fully open on weekends through the school holiday season this Summer, with plans to permanently open, following the completion of renovations, in May 2026.
Managing Director of Strands & Screes Holdings, Dave Keeler, formerly worked at The Strands Hotel as a teenager when his Godmother owned the hotel in 1982. He went on to build a career within the hospitality sector that has spanned the past 40 years leading quality hospitality operations in the UK, Canada, USA and Bermuda. Having returned to his roots in the UK, Dave is excited to continue to add to the legacy of The Strands Hotel and Screes Inn and is eager to grow the business and bring positive impact to the local community.
Dave Keeler, Managing Director of Strands & Screes Holdings Limited, said: “We are thrilled to have the support of NatWest as we embark on this exciting new chapter for The Strands Hotel. This funding will allow us to not only expand our business but also increase our contribution to the local economy and community. We look forward to welcoming guests to The Strands and the Wasdale Valley area over the busy summer period.”
Mark Ward, Senior Relationship Manager at NatWest, led on the deal and said: “We are delighted to support The Strands Hotel in their plans for expansion. As a new customer with NatWest, we are excited to see the growth and opportunities this relationship will bring.
“We are confident that this investment will bring substantial benefits to the Wasdale Valley area, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have."
North West law firm Harrison Drury, led by corporate partner Jack Stephenson, advised on the acquisition, which includes the freehold of the premises, through its corporate and commercial property teams.
Jack Stephenson, partner in Harrison Drury’s corporate team, added: “It’s been a real pleasure to support this acquisition which secures a bright future for these two much-loved venues.
“The transaction required close coordination between our corporate and commercial property teams, and it’s always rewarding to work on projects that combine business ambition with a passion for preserving unique local heritage – especially with David’s local connections.”
