Shropshire Star

New Oswestry hotel owner reveals plans - including a winter ice rink

The new owner of a Shropshire hotel said he made the decision to buy the complex the moment he drove through the gates.

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Dr Ashok Bansal said the Lion Quays, near Oswestry, gave off such a positive vibe that he made an offer to the selling agent within a minute of meeting.

The former surgeon, who now owns several nursing homes in South Wales, was in the county this week to discuss future plans for the hotel, restaurant and country club and spa with the management team, headed by Gregor Ritchie.

The Lion Quays Hotel

Dr Bansal said a winter ice rink should materialise by next year in a bid to get more people from the town visiting.

He said: "I envisage a type of Narnia somewhere where people can enjoy ice skating, watch an ice show but also enjoy the magic of winter.

"I also want to see the Lion Quays lit up with beautiful lighting. We have the canal passing through the grounds. Image if the water was lit with coloured lights, it would be beautiful."

Plans also include making more use of the outdoor space. "I want to bring things for the kids to do here, days out that the whole family can enjoy," Dr Bansal said.

"But most importantly, I want to bring my reputation for customer service. I love to see people smile and know that what we have done has made them smile.

"I have high expectations and I want those expectations to be exceeded here."

Included in the complex is an 82-bedroom four-star hotel, spa and country club, restaurant and wedding and conference facilities.

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