Brexit tycoon Paul Sykes’s ex spends £70m on hotel bill!

W hat do you do with the money when you’re divorced from a man worth £770 million?

the former wife and righthand woman of multi-millionaire Brexit donor Paul Sykes has been putting her settlement to good use — she has sunk some £70 million into restoring a grade II-listed manor house in Ripon, North Yorks, and opening it as a fivestar hotel with the help of her new partner. Valeria Sykes, 75, and Paul — one of Britain’s richest self-made men — were divorced in 2012 after 44 years of marriage.

Now she and her new love, Colin Little, a canon of Ripon Cathedral from 2009 to 2015, have been putting the finishing touches to Grantley hall, set in 38 acres and destined to be the smartest countryhouse hotel in the North when it opens in early July, with rooms from £350 a night.

She has appointed her son, Richard, as managing director and her three grandchildren, tom, Will and Emily, have been working in the marketing, construction and spa departments.

‘there will be a launch party in Westminster in June,’ says a spokesman, ‘and multiple other events.’ Barnsley-born Valeria discovered the property, which dates from the 17th century, in dilapidated condition, buying it for £6 million four years ago and overseeing a mammoth restoration programme.

‘I feel sad when I see beautiful old buildings like that. I just want to save them,’ she said.

‘I love restoring properties and, after taking advice, I knew I could do it. I had this vision of it as a firstclass hotel and I turned to Colin and said: “I’m going to buy it.”’

the hall has 47 original fireplaces and 47 rooms and suites, four restaurants and a spa with a 60ft pool, snow and steam rooms, an altitude training room, underwater treadmill and cryotherapy chamber.