A HIDDEN window, a mysterious fireplace and the true beauty of a 17th century staircase have been uncovered during renovations at a popular dale hotel.
Landlord Dave Falconer was delighted when he made some unusual discoveries while using the Covid-19 lock-down as an opportunity to re-decorate and update the grade II-listed Teesdale Hotel, in Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Parts of the building date to the late 1600s. The remodelling included clearing out the formal dining area at the front of the build-ing and converting it into a bar, opening up the reception area and turning the former bar into an additional seating area to accommodate social distancing.
Probably the most significant change was to the stair-case which has its own separate grade-II listing. He said: “It is 17th century in the style of the Elizabethan vernacular.
“The spindles were boxed in and there was 300 years of layers of paint. It has been striped with a hot air gun and been given a coat of oil.” The result is the natural colours of pitch pine and red-wood banisters shine through. Another discovery was a hidden window in what was the dining area.
Mr Falconer said: “The aperture was back filled with stone. We took it out the window was there.”
The landlord and a friend came up with the idea of using the window as a time capsule of the Covid-19 pan-demic and invited local chil-dren to paint stones to pay tribute to the NHS which have been placed behind the restored window. The third major discovery was of a fireplace that was hidden behind some wood panelling.
Mr Falconer said: “We thought it would be nice to have a fireplace. There is a chimney so we guessed it was there. We started digging out the middle of the wall and we found the side of it. It was all filled in with rubble.”
The fireplace has now been framed with stone salvaged from an old stable at the rear of the hotel and a log burner has been installed to keep the bar cosy on a night. Much of the refurbishment work was carried out by Andrew Carnell, of Carnell Con-struction.
Mr Falconer said: “He is an absolute diamond – he has been exceptional. When we had to cut back on the work because of finances he was there to give advice on how to carry on.”
Like many small businesses, the hotel was close to closure because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Mr Falconer said: “When the lockdown first happened it was panic stations. When they brought in the £25,000 parachute that was a big help. “A lot of small businesses live hand to mouth and lot of that was eaten up by pending invoices and expenses.”
He added that while the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme was not an option because of the interest rates, the more recent Bounce Back Loan has been a lifeline.
The furlough scheme also helped with 12 staff members being placed onto it to save their jobs. During the lockdown the hotel operated a takeaway to keep the business going.
Mr Falconer said: “The one thing that really took off was the Sunday lunches. “We had in the region of 100 people for Sunday lunch. “We did it at a really cheap price as gesture for the community and it was really ap-preciated.” The hotel and restaurant re-opened for business on July 4.
