Five-star hotel Rockliffe Hall has wedding venue licence extended

Bill Edgar

15 November 2024 at 7:10 am·2-min read

Rockcliffe Hall. — -Credit: (Image: HANDOUT)

A luxury five-star hotel has had its licence to host weddings extended.

Rockliffe Hall Hotel's application was approved by Darlington Council at a licensing committee meeting on Tuesday. The resort in Hurworth, Darlington, applied to extend its licence for a further three years ahead of its expiration on November 24.

A council report read: "Rockliffe Hall Hotel is a five-star hotel attracting couples for weddings nationwide and internationally and has an important role to play in the local economy. The hotel has several bookings for weddings for 2025 and 2026 and considers weddings an important part of its business."

The majority of the civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies take place in either the Orangery, Morning Room, or the Rockliffe Suite. Only one ceremony takes place per day at the hotel.

A £1,750 fee for the renewal of the licence has already been paid by the venue to the council. The new licence is due to expire in November 2027.

News of the approval came as the resort announced a major redevelopment of the hotel and venue earlier this week. The first planning application details plans for a purpose-built pavilion that will house a flagship restaurant headed by James Close, formerly of the two Michelin-starred Raby Hunt restaurant. The second application focuses on restoring the hotel's iconic Grade II-listed Old Hall.

A planning statement read: "To complement the new pavilion, the Old Hall project will include the transformation of The Orangery and its kitchen to become the main resort restaurant and further elevate Rockliffe Hall's culinary offerings overseen by Close's expertise."

"The proposed improvements underscore our commitment to positioning Rockliffe Hall as a leading luxury destination, placing the North East of England firmly on the international hospitality map while enhancing its value as a regional asset," said Shauna Robb, General Manager.

Pending approval, renovations are set to begin in February 2025 and be complete by December 2025.

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