Ice rink attraction plan by new boss of hotel near Oswestry
The new owner of the Lion Quays hotel and leisure complex near Oswestry says he will carry out a £700,000 refurbishment – which could include an ice rink.
Dr Ashok Bansal, who runs a hotel in Northamptonshire and nursing homes in South Wales, has met staff at the Lion Quays to reassure them that their jobs are secure as the takeover happens.
The hotel has been bought by Dr Bansal and his wife, Swarnlatha and son, Sandeep.
It is believed the investment is worth about £10 million.
Dr Bansal said he had already enjoyed a warm welcome to the Oswestry area.
"I have a management team but I will be making regular visits to the hotel," he said.
"People will start noticing a difference in the next month or so with new signs. We are also embarking on a £700,000 refurbishment which will include upgrading the restaurant, the bedrooms and the spa area.
"This is a beautiful hotel and it is a destination hotel. I think I can add value to the business through customer satisfaction.
"We will be working on the outside of the hotel as well, making the garden more beautiful and putting in water features."
He said he had several ideas for the future of the complex.
"Within the next 12 months we could bring an ice rink to the hotel and host ice shows," he said.
The Lion Quays was built by local businessmen Derrick and Nick Dulson through their Shropshire Leisure Company more than a decade ago. Included in the complex is the 82-bedroom, four-star hotel, spa and country clubs, restaurants and wedding and conference facilities.
