A Lake District hospitality business has expanded after completing the acquisition of its second property in under a month with support from the Cumberland Building Society.
Hayley and Steve Hallsworth successfully bought Lymestone in Grange-over-Sands. They entered the industry in 2022 with the purchase of Jerichos in Windermere
A historic property dating back to the 1870s, Lymestone combines boutique style accommodation with features including self-contained suites, keyless entry, and automated guest communication.
While it represented a significant opportunity for Hayley and Steve to expand their operations, the property came with a strict deadline following auction, requiring completion within a 30 working day window.
However, thanks to an existing relationship with The Cumberland, the couple, who had previously worked with the building society when buying Jerichos, had the confidence to move quickly when the opportunity arose.
The Cumberland supported Hayley and Steve throughout the acquisition, bringing together the right people to ensure decisions could be made quickly and efficiently, enabling the accelerated completion.
Steve said: “We had a very specific timeframe to work to, and The Cumberland delivered everything we needed and more. Completing in less than a month was incredible.
“We already had a strong relationship with our relationship manager, Georgie McRoberts, so there was a real level of trust from the outset. They understood what we were trying to achieve and made the whole process feel straightforward and seamless.”
Before entering the hospitality sector, Hayley worked in education, teaching across primary, secondary and university levels, while Steve built a career in events and exhibitions.
The couple made the decision to combine their skills with the purchase of Jerichos and it was here their relationship with The Cumberland began as they set about creating a boutique accommodation offering focused on quality, comfort and efficiency.
Their experience with Jerichos gave them the confidence to expand, with Lymestone providing an opportunity to build on what they had already achieved while introducing a more flexible, hybrid style of accommodation.
The Cumberland supported Hayley and Steve throughout the purchase process, with Georgie providing guidance every step of the way.
Georgie said: “We have a strong relationship with Hayley and Steve and completely bought in to their vision for how they wanted to expand their business. It was fantastic to help them in doing this in such a short timeframe.
“The acquisition of Lymestone is a great example of how a focus on developing relationships and a proactive approach can support customers to move quickly when the right opportunity comes along.
“We’re thrilled to work with them again and help them expand their portfolio.”
