Rise Hall Acquired by Dine's Helen Gill and Daniel Gill

Leeds-based hospitality entrepreneurs Daniel Gill & Helen Gill, founders of award-winning event and catering management business Dine, have acquired the Grade II*-listed building near Beverley from property developer and TV personality Sarah Beeny and her husband Graham Swift. The Gills will continue to operate the prestigious, 29- bedroom building as a luxury wedding and events venue.

Dine operates at a range of venues throughout the UK, but this is the first venue that Helen and Daniel own outright. Daniel said; "Rise Hall has tremendous potential and we’re keen to build on its reputation and create one of the UK’s most exclusive and luxurious venues."

Rise Hall is recorded in the Domesday Book and the estate was once owned by Richard III. More recently, the house was used as a convent school and fell into disrepair. Graham Swift and Sarah Beeny bought Rise Hall back in 2001 and with a huge passion for British Heritage, relished the opportunity to not only rescue an important “at risk” building but to also create a sustainable future for it. The couple’s comprehensive renovation of the building as a family home and wedding venue was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, Beeny's Restoration Nightmare in 2010.

"Historic England list 705 historic buildings that are currently 'at risk' in England”, says Sarah.  "Many of these buildings aren’t appealing to investors because they won’t turn a quick profit. The only way to ensure the survival of important buildings such as these is to give them a different purpose for the way in which we live today. Rise Hall has been a big part of our lives for the last 18 years and we are extremely proud of the work that we, together with an incredible team, have achieved to date, but it's time to move on. The fully restored Grade 2* listed Hall will now begin a new chapter in its life. We are thrilled to be passing it onto Dan and Helen who we feel are the perfect fit for such a very special place."

Established in 1998, Dine celebrates its 21st anniversary this year.  The company caters for more than 100 corporate events and 200 weddings a year as well as providing exclusive private dining. Dine provides event services for organisations ranging from English Heritage and the National Trust to the owners of some of the UK’s most notable private houses. 

Photograph by Joel Skingle Photography.