The refurbishment of a Lake District hotel has allowed a local charity to take delivery of a range of furniture items to give to local people in need.

The development of Low Wood Bay into the Lake District’s first luxury resort hotel has resulted in over 170 pieces of furniture being donated to CERT (UK), an emergency community response organisation.

The inventory includes a wide range of items, from bedside units and dressing tables to wardrobes and shelves, all of which will be used to furnish the homes and buildings of the charity’s beneficiaries.

CERT (UK) has been set up to support people who find themselves in crisis and in need of furniture and small appliances to furnish their homes.  For example, the charity provides support to forces veterans and helping those fleeing domestic violence.

“We were bowled over to hear that Low Wood Bay had chosen our charity for the donation of this furniture which will be put to great use in the coming months,” explains Sue Dust, client liaison officer for CERT (UK).

“We rely heavily on donations like this, because our funding is finite.  But our remit has become much wider to cover many different crisis situations, providing people with much needed furnishings and appliances.  We provide the service free of charge and all that we ask is a small donation charge to cover our expenses.

“We’re very grateful to English Lakes Hotels for this donation.  The furniture will be allocated from our storage building which Cumbria County Council has let us lease for free.  We also have a wonderful arrangement with Northgate in Kendal for van hire, so we can pick up furniture from anywhere in Cumbria.”

Nevil Jeffery, the general manager at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, adds:  “We had been planning for some time to make the best possible beneficial use of any furniture and equipment which would be surplus to requirements once the hotel’s refurbishment and development got underway.

“The ongoing work of CERT (UK) since its inception has inspired us and English Lakes were keen to support the wonderful work of this increasingly influential community enterprise.”

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues will be bringing a range of new facilities to Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, including additional bedrooms, improved infrastructure and renewable energy features.  The project is set to create 30 full time equivalent jobs, with a focus on sustainable tourism.

Infrastructure improvements will include the creation of a new, dedicated entrance to the site, contemporary atrium linking all the resort facilities and significant renewable energy provisions, as well as 46 new bedrooms, new restaurant facilities, a multi sports pitch, an indoor spa, an outdoor spa with hot tubs, a heated infinity pool and a sauna.

For further information about Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, visit englishlakes.co.uk