A £10 million investment is upgrading a hotel on the edge of Bath, creating 60 new jobs.
Bailbrook House Hotel was bought by Hand Picked Hotels last July for an undisclosed sum and a year later the Batheaston venue is almost in a position to take on more established hotels in the city.
The money is being spent on creating a facility for business conferences and weekend getaways alike, as well as tapping into the wedding industry.
The refurbishment includes two training suites, three meeting rooms, two restaurants, the upgrade of 81 bedrooms and the creation of a function room for 160 people.
However, the hotel says the pièce de résistance of the project is the remodelling of the Grade II 18th century Bailbrook House, with a new entrance for the hotel, 13 feature bedrooms, meeting rooms, lounges and a new fine dining restaurant in the basement.
The main house was originally designed by Bath architect John Eveleigh and dates back to the early 18th century, when it was used as a private country house. Over the years the building has taken many guises including an air training college.
The hotel has remained open throughout the refurbishment and all of the work is due to be completed by the end of July.
General manager Jonathan Squire, who has been overseeing the work, said: "It is a lot of work that has taken some time – almost ten months. But it will be worth it and I am looking forward to running a hotel and welcoming guests."
At the moment the hotel employs 25 members of staff but this will now increase with more than 60 new jobs up for grabs.
Mr Squire said: "They are a mixture of full- and part-time positions across the hotel house keeping, in the kitchen or restaurants. We want local people to fill these local jobs so they can add that personal touch for our guests."
Julia Hands, chairman and chief executive of the owners, said: "Bailbrook House Hotel has enormous potential and we will be using our extensive experience of working with listed properties to deliver a sensitive refurbishment that will enhance its heritage.
"Once this has taken place, Bailbrook House Hotel will become part of the Hand Picked Hotels portfolio."
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
