Leicestershire-based Norton Motorcycles has purchased Donington Hall Estate from British Airways. The deal includes the Hall, its surrounding 25-acre grounds and the 45,000ft² Hastings House facility. British Airways acquired the hall and its grounds as part of its deal to take-over budget airline Bmi last year.

Norton chief executive Stuart Garner said: “Donington Hall conjures up a uniquely British way to show style, strength and quality, which are all attributes of the Norton brand. However, beyond all the drama and romance of the surroundings, there is a thoroughly modern 45,000ft² building that will become our new production facility and design offices.

“It became clear some time ago that we had out-grown our current location, so being able to move less than a mile down the road to an outstanding facility like Donington Hall is ideal. It will enable us to expand our production with a focus on ‘built in Britain by British hands’, export growth and job creation.”

Norton has also been working with Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) on plans for job creation and export growth. Mr Garner said: “Working with LLEP, we have put together a Regional Growth Fund application for further funding to help accelerate our growth plans and create more jobs as soon as possible.”