In early May of this year the Talbot Hotel was purchased from Greene King PLC by the Bulldog Hotel Group. The company is based in Boston, Lincolnshire, and already offers three individually styled hotels in Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire and West Yorkshire. It has earned itself a reputation for comfortable and well priced accommodation.

The Talbot is famous for its charm and character, with oak beams, open fireplaces and the historic staircase which the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots is said to haunt. The Elizabethan hotel has always been a central part of Oundle with origins dating back to 638, making it the oldest building in this historic town. However, recently, guests have given varying reviews on the standards and dated styles of the rooms, bathrooms and public areas, as well as the quality of service in the hotel and the restaurant.

Kevin Charity, the managing director of the Bulldog Hotel Group, has admitted that much work is needed to “bring the hotel back to life in both the structure of the building and refurbishment of the interiors”. Mr. Charity says that they are currently in talks with Planning and Heritage to establish a planning consent for the works needed in order to preserve the historic features of the hotel, while improving the interior. Completion of this work is still several months away.

In the meantime, work on refurbishing twenty-two of the existing bedrooms within the newer wings at the rear of the hotel will begin in October. The refurbishment will provide “much needed superior accommodation offer”. A new menu will also be launched before the end of September after the redecoration of the restaurant has been completed.