North Yorkshire Council has opened an investigation into Nidd Hall after a suspected outbreak of sickness-and-diarrhoea bug norovirus.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said yesterday (January 6) it was “working with the management team at the hotel” as part of the probe.

The Stray Ferret broke the news last week that the hotel, which is situated in the village of Nidd, five miles from Harrogate, fully closed for a 24-hour period on the morning of December 22 after guests felt unwell.

It re-opened for hotel guests at check-in on December 23, but the hotel and the leisure club, including the sauna and steam room, remained closed to leisure members and external day visitors.

Mr Karl Battersby said in a statement today (January 6):

“We have received reports from the public and we are working with the management team at the hotel. As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further.”

Nidd Hall is one of 14 sites operated by Warner Hotels. It has yet to respond to our request for comment on the council investigation.

A spokesperson previously said:

“We temporarily closed the hotel for a 24-hour period as a precaution after some guests reported symptoms consistent with norovirus, which has been circulating widely in the local area. The hotel was immediately deep cleaned in line with public health guidance, and affected guests were supported. The hotel has since reopened.”

Since receiving the council statement, we have also asked Warner Hotels if Nidd Hall is now operating as normal, as well as how many people complained of feeling unwell during the suspected norovirus outbreak and what the company was basing its claim on that there is no evidence linking the outbreak to hygiene standards.