Historic inn 'not for Wolf of Wall Street parties'

The Kirkstone Pass Inn is known as Cumbria's highest pub

The owner of a historic pub says its accommodation will not be a "Hollywood movie Wolf of Wall Street" party house, in response to concerns over its use.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn, near Ambleside, is Cumbria's highest pub and is being renovated by Supreme Escapes, which bought it in 2021 after it stood empty for years.

The work came under fire earlier this year, when locals feared the building would be used for hen and stag dos, but Jerry Huppert, one of the owners, publicly dismissed the concerns.

Now the accommodation is advertised on a third party's website as "perfect for stag weekends and get togethers with friends". Mr Huppert said: "There's been no change of heart whatsoever."

The company would maintain acceptance of any booking, he added.

Supreme Escapes has spent more than £3m renovating the centuries-old pub and rooms, as well as converting the former owner and staff accommodation blocks into holiday lets.

One of the holiday lets features an American-style diner and retro games

Mr Huppert said the rooms would still be available as individual rooms, but the holiday lets would be available for groups to book.

"When people say about the appropriateness of the place for stag and hen parties, my question would then be to define appropriate," Mr Huppert said.

"If there was ever a location to be completely remote and away from everyone so they're not a nuisance, it's here."

In June, the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) said it recognised concerns about "potential loss of historic character" and had opened an investigation to monitor the use of the building.

The authority said it was aware self-catering accommodation was being advertised and was investigating if it was a breach of planning rules.

Julie Birkett, planning manager for the LDNPA, said: "If a breach of planning control is identified, we will then take steps to determine if it is in the public interest to take enforcement action."

The Kirkstone Pass Inn provided respite for travellers for centuries and stands at 1,481ft (451m) above sea level.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn sits at 1,481ft (451m) above sea level.

Mr Huppert said all booking requests would be vetted by the company.

"People seem to think it's going to be like the Hollywood movie Wolf of Wall Street, but that's not what it's like," Mr Huppert said.

The film portrays the lavish lifestyle of New York stockbrokers in the late 1980s, with sex-fuelled parties, where drug-taking and fraudulent activities would regularly take place.

Adverts for the holiday lets attached to the Kirkstone Pass Inn describe one as having a 1980s-style retro American diner, casino-style games with arcades, a poker table, roulette and room for 22 people.

The other is said to be a "luxurious" property, with hot tubs, a sauna and room for up to 21 people.

Mr Huppert said the pub, although renovated, had remained unchanged and he was hoping it would open in the coming weeks.

"We haven't even changed the colour scheme, we thought we'd keep everything the same - we're here to provide a service, not to argue with people," he said.

He added the team would have hoped to open the pub in the summer, but there were delays with the redevelopment and hiring staff.

"We're finally excited to open," he said.

He added the company was completing paperwork for licenses and as soon as those were ready they would open the pub initially, and the accommodation shortly after.