Linda has lived in Ripon for the last twenty five years of her life – and has become well known in the community. Bored with retirement, Linda Whitehouse decided to take on a new challenge in her life and buy out The Old Deanery in 2008. Previously she was a Sales director for Express Terminals [now Express Group] a business she started with her husband Peter in 1988.

Now Linda lives and breathes the Old Deanery – she is nearly always there to give her guests a warm and personal welcome. She has stepped up to the challenge of running her own restaurant and hotel and has turned the business around, with a profitable first year, despite the credit crunch.

Since taking over the Old Deanery Linda has added her own personal touch to the décor; with framed artwork and vintage posters from her past. Linda prides herself on the customer service she provides and it is very important to her personally that her customers enjoy their visit to the Old Deanery.

The way hotels and restaurants are rated and reviewed is changing, and The Old Deanery’s high standard of service and quality of accommodation and food is shining through thanks to the increasing popularity of travel review website such as Tripadvisor.

The Old Deanery has been rated #1 restaurant in Ripon as well as #1 hotel in Ripon, as well as being ranked #3 for restaurants in North Yorkshire and #5 for hotels in North Yorkshire on the website Tripadvisor.co.uk.

When asked, Linda had this to say: “I’m just so delighted that the our great customer service, good quality food and high standard rooms are being received so well on these travel review websites”.

The Old Deanery has also had similar successe on other websites, such as Qype where it is currently #1 for both restaurants and hotels in Ripon. It’s no wonder then that the Old Deanery is bucking the trend and actually succeeding, despite the difficulties posed by the present economic climate.