We’re pleased to announce that The Judge’s Lodgings, an iconic and historic property in the heart of our city has been acquired by the hotel’s owner Andrew Long.
“The Judge’s Lodgings was first acquired in November 2022 by Andrew Long’s Loxley Collection (TSP Group) of Companies and has now been amalgamated with the former White Hart Garages site and property known as 2 Bailgate, for a carefully considered major redevelopment and refurbishment scheme.
Planning Permission & Listed Building Consents were first obtained in July 2024 and the Project Team have been busy finalising the Detail, Design & Specifications, as well as satisfying the respective ‘pre-commencement’ Conditions. Retained Architects are BPM of Lincoln (Paul Ponwaye & Fay Benson), with Project Managers being P&BC of London who have worked closely with Andrew on many major Hospitality sector developments through the UK for more than 20 years.
The much loved and handsome Grade II Star Judge’s Lodgings Listed Building was first constructed in 1810 and 2 Bailgate dates back to the mid 19th Century, but with major adaptions in 1935 when it was first converted to a Motor Vehicle Garage, known as Cathedral Motors. A few years thereafter RM Wrights operated from the premises with Lincoln’s first Austin Dealership and Petrol Pumps, with filler hoses across the pavement until sometime in the mid to late 1960’s when they moved to their new premises in Outercircle Road.
Judges Lodgings has a commanding ‘landmark’ location immediately adjacent to the Eastern Gateway of Lincoln Castle (dating back to 1068 as built by William the Conqueror and formerly a Roman Fortress), in the heart of historic Uphill Lincoln. The approved redevelopment and refurbishment scheme will commence in 2025 with an extensive package of Enabling Works, inclusive of demolition of the 1960 extension and agreed Archeological Investigations for the whole site. The timing for next Phases of this major scheme are dependent upon the outcome of the Archeological Investigations and how long these take to complete, but it is currently anticipated that the completion date will be towards the end of 2026.
The vehicle access to the new White Hart Hotel & Judge’s Lodgings carpark (30 spaces) is already established from St Paul’s Lane and this now enables a ‘high quality’ Retail Kiosk Arcade to be created within the 2 Bailgate ‘undercroft’, providing an attractive and safe pedestrian link between Bailgate and what is to be named ‘White Hart Yard’ at the northern side of the extended Judge’s Lodgings building, immediately opposite the White Hart Hotel.
There will be a contemporary extension to the original Judge’s Lodgings building, providing 10 ‘fully serviced’ Apartment style Hotel Rooms, which together with the 2 x Judge’s Luxury Bedroom Suites in the original building and a new Duplex style building within the overall site, will provide 14 additional Hotel Rooms as to be operated by the White Hart Hotel, all within an upgraded Landscape setting. The White Hart now has 50 fully refurbished Ensuite Bedrooms, inclusive of two famous Suites and ‘fully serviced’ accommodation within No.7 Castle Hill.
There will also be a south facing ‘alfresco’ Dinning Square & Terrace, next to the Castle Gate and which will also boast displaying the historic entrance to a former Medieval Bastion as situated next to where the ‘Castle Tavern’ once stood on the corner of St Paul’s Lane when it previously came through to Castle Hill Square. That historic pedestrian link will now be restored, creating what should be a popular circular walk next to the Castle and linking St Paul’s Lane directly with Bailgate & Castle Hill, through White Hart Yard with specialist Retail Kiosks and well designed external seating areas, together with external Food & Beverage facilities.
The ground floor areas of the Judge’s Lodgings will provide attractive Tea Room and Licensed Cafe Bar facilities, together with a ‘high quality’ Meeting/Function Room for ‘Private Hire’ Business Conferences, Board Meetings and a range of Functions, inclusive of Wedding Receptions & Civil Services. Further details to be announced at a late stage.
Loxley Collection Principal Director and owner Andrew Long said “We are incredibly exited to be transforming the Bailgate & Castle Hill Square areas of historic Uphill Lincoln. We will release further information at each stage of this major redevelopment and refurbishment scheme”.
