Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 38 | Page 25
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 25
Property portfolio
owner Duncan Belton
is successfully letting
self-contained apartments
at North Briton Court to
businesses on short-term
agreements.
By Martin Walker
North Brit pub brought back to life
with ‘home from home’ apartments
A once thriving village pub has been brought back to life with an innovative
letting development devised by a property entrepreneur.
I
nvestor and businessman Duncan Belton
has returned to his roots after acquiring a
three-year lease to let 10 self-contained
apartments which were built in the former
North Briton in Aycliffe Village.
The famous pub on the A167 closed nearly
five years ago and was snapped up by local
businessman John Wade.
After a lengthy planning and building
process, the pub building was converted into
10 flats made up of four one-bed, one two-
bed and five studio apartments.
Now Teesside-based property portfolio
owner Belton, who was brought up in
Aycliffe and drank in the North Briton pub in
his younger days, is successfully marketing
the fully-serviced apartments on short-term
agreements for local businesses and contract
workers.
North Briton Court now provides cost-
effective, short-term solutions for either
business clients or contractors looking for
handy, local accommodation.
And seven of the 10 apartments have
already been let on long-term agreements
with local employers.
Belton said: “The beauty of the apartments
is they provide almost a temporary home,
for people who are staying over a number of
days or weeks.
“They all have living rooms, fitted
bathrooms and kitchens and come with all
the space and luxury of a home, but without
the cost of staying in hotels for a set period
of time.
“If you’re visiting the area, whether for
business or pleasure for more than two days,
it invariably works out cheaper than a hotel,
but you’re snug in the privacy of your own
place.”
North Briton Court is ideal for business
guests, contract workers or friends and
family visiting the area for work or special
occasions, with rooms available from as little
as £40 a night.
North Briton Court adds to Belton’s
impressive portfolio, which includes 70
properties in the County Durham and
Teesside areas.
“I’m able to accommodate anything from
one to 150 people at any one time,” said
Belton.
“I’ve been in the rental sector for many
years. We’ve had to evolve like everyone
else, but the short-term letting sector has
grown significantly in recent years and it’s
now an area we specialise in.
“This development is an exciting
opportunity for local businesses to
accommodate their guests and visitors in
comfortable surroundings at very affordable
rates.”
John Wade bought the North Briton in the
summer of 2014 and in February 2015 it was
revealed he planned to convert it into flats.
A public consultation was held in the
March, and after a protracted planning and
building process they were completed in
2018.
Any firms or individuals interested in letting any of the apartments at North Briton Court
can contact Duncan Belton on 01642 880030 or email [email protected]