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UK: a £1m investment will transform former Convent of Mercy
Luxury boutique hotel The Cookie Jar is set to open in a former convent overlooking Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.
The project is being led by Deborah Cook, the wife of Robert Barclay Cook, the former chief executive of Malmaison, Hotel du Vin and De Vere Hotels.
The hotel marks the first solo venture for Mrs Cook, who has extensive experience in hospitality, but has not worked in hotels for 15 years.
Cook said: “The building is an old convent in a beautiful setting – it’s absolutely gorgeous and we wanted to create something special. There’s nothing really quirky in Alnwick at the moment. So we have taken 26 dormitory-style rooms and created 11 rooms with features including drench showers, free standing baths, and we’ve spent quite a bit, more than £1m.”
The Cookie Jar will open at the end of September.
