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19
Dec
The Chapel in Harrogate finally sold
The sale of an iconic Harrogate chapel that spent several years on the market has finally been confirmed today.
Mark Hinchcliffe bought The Chapel on Grove Road in 2013 and initially lived there. He spent four years converting it into an eclectic bed and breakfast, which featured on Channel 4’s The Restoration Man, before it closed in January this year.
The Chapel was listed for £1.5 million in 2020, before the asking price fell to £1 million in April 2023.
It was then listed for sale by auction the following November by property auctioneer, Allsop, at a guide price of £850,000-plus. However, the site did not sell and remained vacant.
Mr Hinchcliffe today confirmed Chinese manufacturing firm Dishang Cherry Ltd, which was granted approval to convert the grade two listed building into an office in September, had completed the purchase.
In a social media post announcing the sale, he said:
Well, where do you start? My caretaker's job at The Chapel has come to an end. It's been an incredible 10 years from restoring the place to opening up as a B&B so visitors could see the architecture and interior. Thanks to everyone that visited and shred this incredible space with us.
New ventures on the horizon! Cheers Mark & Heidi.
Mark Hinchcliffe
Mr Hinchcliffe today told the Stray Ferret he was relieved the property had finally been sold, and happy it had been passed on to owners who “really appreciate the architecture”.
The Chapel’s unique style and interior made it difficult to attract the right seller, he said.
Mr Hinchcliffe also said Dishang’s staff, who previously worked from offices in The Exchange on Station Parade, have “really embraced” the building. The company changed its registered office to The Chapel just yesterday.
Inside the building
When it operated as a bed and breakfast, the building comprised six ensuite bedrooms; two separate bathrooms; two reception rooms; a vaulted drawing room; a dining room; an orangery and a library.
It also boasts a large entrance hall and a 50ft atrium, as well as a utility room and a plant room.
A council report published at the time of planning approval said Dishang Cherry Ltd did not seek to alter external features or internal layout.
Instead, alterations made to the building would be in relation to “implementing an office use” such as installing office equipment and desks, as well as laying cables, the report added. The firm also planned to retain the bedrooms for staff use.
Erection of a bike store was also proposed at the time.
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