A WINDERMERE hotel undergoing a major £1million refurbishment has been visited by the town’s mayor.

Mayor of Windermere, Cllr Leith Hallatsch, praised the £1m renovations that are currently underway at The Hydro Hotel, which overlooks the lake.

The hotel, in Helm Road, has been closed since January and the Mayor was invited for a behind the scenes tour of the hotel which is due to re-open on March 31.

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Cllr Hallatsch, along with his wife Christine, his Mayoress and fellow Windermere town councillor, took a detailed ‘hard hat’ tour along with Deputy Mayor Lisa Greasley.

The trio looked at all aspects of the renovations and even offered their own suggestions as to what further works the hotel could undertake.

“This is a much needed facelift but it’s one that we all certainly welcome,” said Cllr Hallatsch.

“It’s excellent to see the owners putting in the money. This isn’t a small job and they’re doing it properly. If people know it’s being refurbished, they’re going to want to stay here.

“The renovations will only improve the area. It will attract more people to Windermere and Bowness and that can only be a good thing.”

Cllrs Hallatsch and Greasley were taken around the hotel by general manager Stefan Rae.

Mr Rae, a new appointment at the Hydro, led the tour and provided detailed information as to what building work would be carried out.

Already, vital roof repairs have been made and now builders are refurbishing both the restaurant, bar and bedrooms.

All three councillors shared their memories of the Hydro with Mr Hallatsch stating that he had been part of more than 300 functions at the hotel as part of a local DJ company.

“It was fascinating to hear how much knowledge all three councillors had on the hotel,” said Mr Rae.

“They were all really interested in the plans we have to reinvent The Hydro Hotel and whilst this is a huge renovation, we are looking to retain quite a lot of the unique and historic features.

“We want The Hydro Hotel to be a part of the Windermere community once again and we feel a fresh look will certainly put us on the right path.”