A COUNTRY hotel which started life as a farm shop has just seen the completion of a £1 million investment.

The final stage of the redevelopment at the Coniston Hotel and restaurant has now been carried out, with the opening of a large residential and conference extension.

Michael Bannister has spent the past eight years developing the hotel and grounds on his family estate in Coniston Cold, which has seen the hotel grow from 40 to 50 bedrooms.

The Coniston Hotel, which won a coveted Catey Award in its second year of trading, has also just enjoyed its best Christmas and New Year ever, with a 25 per cent increase on last year's figures.

The extension is the final touch to a long-term diversification project launched by Mr Bannister to turn around the fortunes of the rural business economy.

History is now repeating itself, with the current number of staff employed on the 1,400 acre estate totalling 100 - equalling the number of farming staff on the land 100 years ago.

Mr Bannister explained: "I started this business as a local farm shop. I later added a tea room, then a restaurant and then bedrooms and now it has developed into a thriving three star hotel, restaurant, activity and conference centre."

The new two-storey development features 10 executive bedrooms with two additional meeting rooms seating up to 20 delegates.

Mr Bannister added: "The ground floor rooms have their own terrace and first floor rooms their own balcony, and all rooms have an uninterrupted view looking down on the 24 acre lake and out towards Malham and Rylstone.

"I have a passion for the countryside and I'm convinced there is still a market for old fashioned, traditional hospitality. I believe people like the atmosphere, character and history the hotel offers."

He continued: "Ninety five per cent of the staff we employ are from the local area with a farming background, which allows us to provide a high-quality, traditional rural service and continue to support the local job market while providing guests with access to a wealth of local knowledge.

"The rural economy has been in a state of decline for a number of years and I believe we have to try to help support the local economy.

"The spotlight always falls on the larger Yorkshire cities of Leeds and Bradford with the rural economy often lacking support. It is hugely important that we continue to invest in the countryside and make the most of the fabulous landscape, facilities and people here."

Mr Bannister said the new development was in response to customer demand, as on many occasions they had turned customers away because the hotel was full to capacity.

"I'm enthusiastic about the opportunities here at The Coniston Hotel and I have already received a warm welcome from regulars who stay at the hotel and those who pop into the bar or restaurant and even walkers who stop by for coffee," he added.