2023 is a big year for the Crown Hotel in Wetheral, Carlisle. Following the completion of three phases of a multi-year £2.6 million refurbishment programme including a full refurbishment of all hotel bedrooms, many public areas & it’s new green initiative.

Later this month, the hotel is launching an additional 8-bedroom expansion to the hotel stock, using local designers, Cumbrian architects, contractors and tradesmen. Together with the 10 rooms that were added in 2020 the hotel will soon boast 67 bedrooms.

In parallel, a combination of multiple initiatives has meant that The Crown Hotel is nearing completion of its next project and by spring 2023, it will have reduced its carbon emissions the equivalent of 38 households per year.

Substantially reducing their carbon footprint through this sustainability & environmental focus, as well as increasing room stock by 40% evidence the balanced focus on environment and growth. This huge advancement to the area has also created new jobs, with the team growing to accommodate the new bedrooms. 



 ‘Environmental focus is a huge topic and something top of everyone’s mind. We feel it is important in this current climate that we do our bit. Last year, working with the Cumbria LEP, we undertook a de-carbonisation audit which gave us insight as to how we could reduce our carbon footprint. This enabled us to put a plan in place to make gradual but significant improvements to our business and operation.’

‘We are now thrilled to let everyone know that as we near completion of our £2.6m refurbishment, the Crown Hotel is better positioned than ever and we are celebrating this success.’

‘We are proud that following this investment, we have reduced our carbon emissions so exceptionally and hope that it encourages others to consider their own carbon footprint’. 

- General manager Chris McLaughlin

Sustainability in a snapshot:

A Combined Heat & Power Unit (CHP) machine has been invested in and installed, which effectively converts gas into electric energy to be used to power the hotel and run their fitness facility, Riverside Fitness.

In April 2023 The Crown is installing 60KW of solar panels for renewable energy, guaranteeing a green energy source for electricity and improving the hotels’ efficiency.

Smart energy sensors have been installed to prevent unnecessary use of energy throughout the hotel public areas to include smart lighting.

Installation of additional electric car charge points. The hotel already has an electric car point, but in wanting to improve accessibility of these points are installing an additional 6 charge points and in particular installing a rapid charge point for customers with electric cars.

Smaller measures such as installing a swimming pool cover, reducing waste plastic, recycling and a food wastage plan, are just some of the many steps taken to contribute to this huge success project. 

2023 will see The Crown implement the above as well as many more plans to contribute to this huge shift. Read more about Our Vision Here.