A Grade II* listed hotel in the heart of Wellingborough, with historic links to Oliver Cromwell, has been sold by commercial property agent Prop-Search to a Northamptonshire family business.
The Hind Hotel, a 17th-century former coaching inn at 38 Sheep Street, closed unexpectedly in January after its previous owner, Hind Wellingborough Ltd, went into liquidation. The property has now been acquired by the family-run Hind Group, which plans to invest tens of thousands of pounds in a programme of improvements before reopening the hotel in early 2027.
Built shortly before the English Civil War, the hotel is understood to have been used by Oliver Cromwell in the days before the decisive Battle of Naseby in 1645. The historic building occupies a prominent position on Wellingborough town square, close to the town’s shops, bars, restaurants and Castle Theatre.
The new owners, brothers Jabeer and Jay Miah, are working with other members of their family on the relaunch. Their plans include upgrading the restaurant, bar and Cromwell coffee shop, as well as introducing beauty and spa facilities. They also hope to reinstate the hotel’s wedding licence and bring back local groups and businesses that previously used its meeting and function rooms.
Jabeer Miah said: “It’s almost a relaunch, a revamp. We want to keep the historical importance of the hotel, but there will be lots of community and business activity. We want to welcome back local groups who used to use the meeting rooms. We also want it to be a hub for the community – it had a wedding licence, so we want to bring that back.”
He added: “All the bedrooms have been recently renovated, so we want to concentrate on the restaurant, bar and Cromwell coffee shop, as well as introducing beauty and spa facilities. We want more of a boutique feel and will be spending tens of thousands on the revamp. We’re really excited.”
Simon Toseland, Director of Prop-Search, said the sale represented an important outcome for one of Wellingborough’s best-known buildings: “The Hind Hotel is a truly distinctive property, combining an important place in Wellingborough’s history with considerable potential for its future.”
“We are delighted to have secured a buyer that understands the significance of the building and is committed to bringing it back into use as a hotel, while also strengthening its role within the local community.”
“The proposed investment in the restaurant, bar, coffee shop and additional wellbeing facilities should create a more boutique offer, while the return of weddings, meetings and community events will help restore the Hind’s position as an important town-centre destination.”
The hotel provides 34 en-suite bedrooms across three floors, together with a restaurant, residents’ lounge bar, kitchen, laundry facilities, coffee shop, meeting rooms, conference and events space, terrace and limited on-site parking.
Period features include an impressive porte cochère entrance, an oak-beamed restaurant, a grand staircase and the preserved Cromwell Suite, which incorporates a bar and function room. The hotel is also located close to Wellingborough railway station, with regular services to London St Pancras, and benefits from road links to the A45, M1 and A14.
The building has previously benefited from a £1.3 million external refurbishment undertaken in partnership with Wellingborough Borough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. A further reported £600,000 was invested in refurbishing the bedrooms and circulation areas, while approximately £300,000 was spent modernising the ground-floor public areas and replacing equipment.
Mr Toseland added: “The Hind has already benefited from significant investment, and its central location, 34-bedroom layout and extensive hospitality and function facilities provide a strong platform for the new owners’ plans.”
“With Wellingborough continuing to undergo regeneration, the reopening of such an iconic building will be welcomed by residents, businesses and visitors alike. We wish the Hind Group every success as it begins this exciting new chapter.”
The Hind Hotel is expected to reopen to guests in early 2027.
