A popular Carlisle hotel has been sold for an undisclosed sum.

The Cumbria Park Hotel was sold by Dean Barnes after seven years to a property investment firm.

The sale to Sterling Woodrow, based in South East England, was handled by specialist business property adviser Christie & Co.

The three star hotel, on Scotland Road, is several converted residential properties.

It has 55 en suite bedrooms, a newly refurbished bar, restaurant, events and meeting spaces, and independently accessed leisure facilities.

Mr Barnes said he was selling the hotel to explore new opportunities within the hospitality sector.

He said: “The Cumbria Park Hotel has been a fantastic business to run over the last seven years and I wish the new owners all the best in their future plans to develop the business further.”

Sterling Woodrow is based in Billericay, Essex

Robert Horwood, director of Sterling Woodrow, headed up the deal.

He added: “Sterling Woodrow is delighted with the acquisition.

“We are looking forward to adding more hotels to the group.”

Ryan Lynn, director at Christie & Co, handled the sale.

He said: “It has been a pleasure to be involved this transaction on behalf of Dean and work with Robert to push things along as the sale progressed.

“Everyone involved worked hard to get us to completion, ending up with a swift sale which took just a few months start to finish.

“I wish Dean all the best with his future ventures and am sure that Sterling Woodrow will take the business from strength to strength.”