Local hotel manager buys Motherwell property

Andrew Cornish, the former manager of the Bentley hotel in Motherwell, is the new owner of the nearby Old Mill hotel just outside the North Lanarkshire town.

A conversion of an historic riverside mill believed to date back to the late 18th century, it is the only remaining mill on the River Calder and has retained the mill wheel along with the internal gearings and workings, which are encased in the public bar.

The owners have the option of using the river to generate electricity for the hotel and to sell to the National Grid.

The B-listed, sandstone property houses 11 en-suite bedrooms to sleep 21 and is a popular venue for weddings, parties and dinner dances. It is within walking distance of Motherwell town centre and will be passed by the planned new Green Link walkway.

Facilities include a residents' lounge, public bar, 45-seat restaurant, and a function room with stone walls, timber roof beams and large picture windows that provides dance floor catering for up to 120 people.

There is also accommodation for the owners comprising two double bedrooms and an en-suite shower room.

Outside, the Old Mill has a front entrance courtyard with a smoking area with tables, seating and gas-fired heating, along with rear parking for 12 cars and riverside gardens with picnic benches and decking.

The Glasgow office of Colliers Robert Barry was inviting offers in excess of £550,000 for the feuhold.

By Angela Frewin