The Darlington Arms has recently become a contemporary roadside inn and many years ago it was once an old coaching inn, known as The Bell. Back then it was a watering hole providing facilities for stabling, watering and changing of horses, along a major highway into Bristol. The detached two storey period building was fully restored and refurbished in 2015, reopening for trade in January 2016. Seven boutique bedrooms were opened in October 2017 and are designed to a high specification. They are named after surrounding local villages.

The Darlington Arms has been purchased by Thayanesan Karnan and Sivaji Rajmohan, experienced businessmen who had been searching for an ideal hospitality opportunity in the South West to complement their existing business portfolio of petrol filling stations. Ray and Karnan intend to continue the current trading format but place a greater focus on marketing the accommodation due to its close proximity to Bristol airport combined with ample parking. They also intend to introduce a few traditional Indian meals to the menu in order to attract more local trade. The pair commented that, “Jimmy was great to work with and really supported the deal through, even when times became challenging”

Jimmy Johns, Senior Finance Consultant at Christie Finance, secured funding for the buyers and comments “Karnan and Raj are experienced businessmen. This was their first purchase in hospitality which is always a challenge but we were able to secure them the funding they required to purchase the Darlington.”