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The Gainford Group is a North East based company that has grown dramatically in recent years, expanding its core activity and entering new sectors.
Founded by Susan and Mohammed Khaliq 23 years ago, the Gainford Group opened it’s first care home and the progression of the company has been outstanding, with it now owning an extensive portfolio of residential and commercial property across the North East and further afield. Imran Khaliq joined his family business 10 years ago and has been behind much of its growth, with his focus being on strengthening the organisation’s position in the hospitality and leisure sector.
Today the company currently own and operate 13 care homes consisting of 800 beds, 2 nurseries and an evergrowing plethora of bars, restaurants and hotels, employing over 2500 people across the group. New and exciting leisure acquisitions are in development and land is already banked to enable the opening of further sites.
The group ventured into the hospitality and leisure sector 6 years ago with its acquisition of the company’s flagship hotel, The Vermont at Newcastle’s Quayside. Since then the group has invested heavily in the area with the opening of Aveika, Livello and the Vermont ApartHotel.
Gainford is now one of the largest investors in the Quayside with a portfolio worth over £35m and plans to expand. A new Sky Lounge Bar is being developed, with incredible panoramic views of the city and the River Tyne. The opulent space is available for private hire and is licensed for civil ceremonies held 200ft above the heart of the city.
Imran Khaliq Director of Gainford Group commented: “The Quayside is an iconic area and we are proud that it has three of our award winning venues at its heart. A lot has changed since our initial investment and there is still so much potential. Our aim alongside NE1 Ltd is to regenerate and restore interest into this unique area, being once the historical centrepiece of this great city.
Further acquisitions include The Great Victoria Hotel in Bradford, which was also saved from administration. The hotel combines old grandeur with contemporary elegance, offering luxury in the heart of the city. An extensive refurbishment has been carried out to create bedrooms, bars, restaurants and a wedding venue that stands out from the crowd.
In May 2017, The County Hotel opposite Newcastle Central Station was acquired. A £20m refurbishment immediately went underway introducing stylish rooms, new function rooms and a Manhattan style restaurant and late night bar, The Hudson. The historic hotel now offers Victorian grandeur and style in the heart of Newcastle. The investment created over 100 jobs, attracted new investors to the area and reinvigorated the gateway to the city.
In addition to this, the group is currently redeveloping The County Aparthotel, a renovation of the iconic landmark Grainger House. The 20 luxury serviced apartments in the heart of Grainger Town are due to open later this month.
Most excitingly, another purchase in March 2018 saw Gainford Group add the former Premier Inn site on New Bridge Street to their portfolio. The plans are to convert the hotel and surrounding areas to the most luxurious hotel in the city. The transformation will include a 200-bedroom hotel along with a number of bars and restaurants, a spa and the largest conference facility in Newcastle, creating over 200 jobs.
The group has continued to expand with a strong strategic vision and a business ethos that mixes good old-fashioned values with cutting-edge business thinking. The brand has become synonymous with a passion for taking great care in all that it does with this excellence brought about by the team of experienced and dedicated people it employs and working with the best local suppliers.
Testament to the group’s success are the awards being won. In the healthcare sector they are the only operator in the North East to be awarded ‘Good’ by the CQC at all of their homes. The Vermont hotel has been named as the city’s best wedding venue by The North East Wedding Awards, whilst Japanese restaurant and late bar Aveika has just been applauded as the best restaurant in Newcastle in the National Restaurant Awards. Livello has also been recognised as the best late night venue in the LTA awards.
The group is enjoying being heralded as one of the most progressive companies in the region, but it also takes corporate social responsibility seriously too. The Gainford Group is proud to be supporting no less than 17 charities locally and nationally and has also signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Northern Insight owner and editor, Mike Grahamslaw, said: “The Gainford Group is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. Their acquisition trail is simply inspired and the care and attention they pay to renovations, creating jobs and improving the economy in Newcastle, is to be admired.
Article: Northern Insight
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