THE new owner of Broadway's Lygon Arms has promised to bring the hotel to life once again now it is part of the portfolio.

Completion of the acquisition by L&R, owners of the luxury five red-star hotels: Chewton Glen, in Hampshire, and Clivedon House, in Berkshire, has been finalised this week and a two-year makeover is now planned.

Established as a coaching inn in 1532, the Lygon Arms is held in high regard and affection by hoteliers and guests alike. Steeped in history, in the 17th century it served both sides in the Civil War with Oliver Cromwell staying at The Inn before the Battle of Worcester in 1651 and Charles I using The Inn to meet his supporters.

The hotel, formerly part of the Hotel Collection, has 78 bedrooms and suites, and holds four stars and two AA rosettes.

It also boasts a health club and pool, as well as tennis courts.

In recent history, it was owned by the late, great hotelier Douglas Barrington OBE, who operated the property for more than 40 years. Barrington, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Catey Award in 1989, sold the hotel to the Savoy Group in 1985 when he became a member of the Savoy Group board. It has operated under multiple brands since.

The Lygon Arms will be the third country house hotel to be acquired by property developer brothers Ian and Richard Livingstone. In 2006, executive chairman Ian Livingstone purchased Chewton Glen from Martin and Brigitte Skan, and in 2012, under the umbrella of London & Regional, the brothers bought a 77-year lease on Cliveden House.

He said: “With a shared spirit of hospitality and investment, we are going to transform the Lygon Arms. An extensive investment plan starting in Spring 2016 will, over a 24-month period, bring The Lygon Arms to life once more. The hotel will once again take an active role in local village life and will become a must visit country retreat."