Award winning Beamish Hall today announced its growth plans for the coming year having successfully secured increased working capital facilities from Barclays.

The luxury hotel and restaurant venue in Stanley, County Durham has developed a full programme of additional events for 2013 with the aim of pushing turnover through the £5million barrier for the first time.

Barclays has supported the Craggs family with working capital facilities since they purchased the Hall in 2004. In 2012 it was voted 'North of England Wedding Venue of the Year' in the prestigious Wedding Guide Magazine. Together with hotel and restaurant guests, weddings and themed events, visitor numbers for 2012 were a staggering 450,000, but the management team are aiming to build further on this success.

Amy Craggs, Managing Director of Beamish Hall said: "This new funding will help us deliver on our ambitious plans for the year ahead. Our first themed event starts with the Winter Festival on the 18th and 19th January and we plan to include music & real ale festivals, summer fetes, fireworks displays and many more events throughout the year. We also have a high number of wedding bookings and our Stables Restaurant continues to go from strength to strength."

The company currently employs 180 staff but is hopeful of creating an extra 20 jobs as part of its growth plans.

Martin Rankin, Barclays Relationship Director said: "It's great to have a local success story in a challenging economic environment. It was an easy decision to support such a creative management team and unique venue, and it serves as a clear indication that Barclays is open for business for quality transactions within the sector."

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