THE fortunes of an East Lancashire hotel have been transformed after an appearance on Channel 5’s The Hotel Inspector.

The Rosehill House Hotel in Burnley featured on the first episode of the programme’s new series.

Award-winning hotelier Alex Polizzi visited the characterful Rosehill Avenue 31-bedroom hotel, which had been converted from a manor house.

When the business started Emma Pennington and her father, John Doherty said they saw big profits, but after the 2008 financial crash the takings started to drop.

Throughout the next decade the hotel, which employs around 16 people, managed to break even but with the opening of chains such as the Holiday Inn Express and Premier Inn in Burnley the family were forced to slash their room rates.

The pair feared they may have to close the hotel down but wanted to be able to turn the hotel around.

Mrs Polizzi said the building from the outside was handsome and despite the hotel being clean, she said the dining room looked ‘dreary’ and the hotel did not have a strong identity, with the communal areas being full of unwanted decoration.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Mrs Pennington said: “When we went round with Alex we were on edge.

“You have no idea what she’s going to say.

“But we took it on the chin and opened up to what she recommended.”

During an emotional discussion about the hotel, Ms Pennington revealed her mother started the business but had to stop working due to being diagnosed with Alzheimers four years ago.

With the help of Mrs Polizzi, the hotel was transformed.

The corridor-communal area, which had previously been cluttered and not used properly, was turned into a stylish gin bar.

The pair were also given support to promote their hotel on social media and launched their first wedding function open day after being shown by Mrs Polizzi how Browsholme Hall in the Ribble Valley had become a first-class wedding venue.

The former wood-panelled dining room was transformed into a candle-lit wedding chapel with a trendy vintage look.

Mrs Pennington said: “We were absolutely overwhelmed with the responses we got from the show.

“We’ve had hundreds of kind messages saying the hotel looks fantastic.

“I’m really happy with how it’s turned out.

“We’ve got another wedding open day on Saturday, June 29, but the cameras won’t be there on that day.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride but we’re all really happy with how the hotel looks.

“The changes we had to make were easily doable and we’ve taken on board the advice about social media.”

The conservatory, which had been previously been used as breakfast room, was turned into a function room area.

On the show, Mrs Polizzi said: “What a change. I'm really impressed.

"I feel honestly almost tearful.

“I can’t believe it, they have transformed it.

“In 11 years of doing this job I have never, ever, seen a hotel make such an effort.

“I can’t wait to come back, and I don’t say that very often.”