BY Elisa Menendez

AN entrepreneur has transformed a 19th century building into a boutique hotel — attracting visitors from across the globe.

Michael Huckerby opened The Lawrence Hotel on Church Street, Padiham, in November and has already welcomed guests from as far as America, Canada and Australia.

He says the new addition to the town is also helping boost trade as a number of other independent businesses set-up shop, including a food and drink venue taking over the old Barclays building.

Michael, 41, describes Padiham as an ‘up and coming’ area with more independent shops, delis and galleries flocking to the town.

“Things are definitely happening here, which is amazing – the more the merrier,” he said.

According to Lancashire County Council, areas of Lancashire have been listed as some of the most deprived in the country, with nearby Burnley considered the most destitute in the county.

But Michael is determined to fly the flag for the area — and its people.

He said: "It’s unbelievable how much business there is in Burnley and Accrington and I didn’t know, I thought it was a bit of a forgotten place."

The quirky Grade II listed building boasts 14 rooms individually designed by Michael — one features a stylish ‘floating bathroom’ — along with function spaces and a cocktail area.

And the work does not stop there, with plans under way to create a bar and a rooftop leisure area.

The hotelier is passionate about creating a unique experience, by leaving sweet treats for visitors and offering an in-house therapist who provides relaxation treatments in guests’ rooms.

He said: “This is something I have to do – I think it’s in my blood. And I wanted to do it all before I am 50."

Originally from Yorkshire but raised in Preston, Michael got his first taste of the hospitality industry as a teenager when studying hotel management at Blackburn College.

He went on to have a successful, seven-year career in the industry and has worked for the likes of the Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel in Preston and the Le Meridien Victoria and Albert Hotel in Manchester.

He tried his hand at almost everything from opening a bar, Simple, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, to launching a magazine, to finance and marketing consultancy, to creating a successful design agency, Creative Spark.

In 2014, he moved to New York to expand the agency, which gave Michael the opportunity to stay at ‘some of the most amazing hotels in the world’ and eventually inspired him to open his own.

He said: "When I was 14 I thought hotels were the most magical places — how amazing is it that there are buildings for adults to go and have fun in?”

Michael’s strong, personal connection with the hotel is reflected in the name, which not only pays homage to a number of Lancashire links, but also his father – who passed away 10 years ago – was called Lawrence.

Michael credits his ‘amazing’ family and staff for helping to keep him afloat, including James, a 19-year-old handyman and housekeeper, Lisa, who is a single mother of three working four jobs.

With plans to expand the building and a fully booked hotel, 2018 looks set to be a big year for The Lawrence Hotel and the town of Padiham.