A boutique hotel on the edge of the Lake District has seen a surge in interest after a successful stint on the popular Channel 4 show Four in a Bed.
The Tithe Barn Hotel in Cockermouth, owned by Amy and Josh Church, was the focus of the Channel 4 show during a five-episode airing last week.
The reality show sees four pairs of B&B owners stay at each other’s establishments and rate their experiences to determine the best value for money.
The opportunity to feature on Four in a Bed arose when a friend mentioned the Tithe Barn during an appearance on another TV show, Dinner Date.
"It took some persuading, I won’t lie," Amy said.
Having only recently welcomed a newborn into the fold, the family gathered together in their London home to watch the TV debut.
"My parents came down to London and we watched it all together.
“The first episode I watched through my hands over my face but I realised they portrayed the Tithe Barn quite well," Amy said.
“It was very entertaining and funny to see Amy on TV," Josh said.
Amy and Josh first started renovating the 9-bedroom boutique hotel, with unique characteristics throughout such as exposed stonework, on the first day of lockdown.
They would eventually open in 2021 after investing around £450,000 into the project.
“We ripped out everything, the cellar turned into a cocktail bar. Upstairs, we did absolutely everything, rewiring, the plaster came off the walls.
“We learned a lot in the process of it, learning what to take onto the next," Josh said.
Following the success of the Tithe Barn Hotel, the entrepreneurial couple ventured into Penrith, where they converted the Grade II-listed Sandgate Chapel into luxury self-catering apartments.
They have also since opened The Old Mill Inn in Dearham last May.
“Our Instagram followers have gone up since the episodes came out, and bookings have definitely increased. "I’d say it’s been a positive outcome so far," Amy said.
“It’s help put Cockermouth on the map," Josh said.
"I think it has 1 million viewers every day, so five days of seeing Cockermouth lets people see there are other places to go in the Lake District.
"We would like to thank the others who took part and Gareth, who served breakfast for us from VeeVa coffee shop."
The Tithe Barn's episodes of Four in a Bed are available to watch on 4oD.
To find out more about the Tithe Barn, you can click here.
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