Work starts on spa and events venue at The Barnsdale in Rutland, part of The Signet Collection
A multi-million pound refurbishment is moving forward with plans for a spa and events venue.
On New Year’s Eve a party was in full swing at The Barnsdale hotel in Rutland, but by the following morning the events barn had become a building site.
The Barnsdale, formerly Barnsdale Lodge, is undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment after it was taken over by hotelier Hector Ross, owner of The Signet Collection.
Work has already been completed on the restaurant, bar and hotel bedrooms and next on the list is the spa and events barn.
Ellie Read, marketing manager, said: “Obviously some people don’t like change, but most of the feedback has been amazing with what we have done so far.
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“People like seeing Rutland being invested in and knowing people are spending time and money here.”
Weddings and parties have already been booked in for the events barn, which is due to be completed in March and host up to 130 guests.
Inspiration has been drawn from The Signet Collection’s other hotels.
The inside of the existing venue has been ripped out for a full refurbishment and will include a pamper suite, seating booths and bifold doors leading onto the hotel’s croquet lawn.
Ellie said: “The bi-fold doors will allow guests to see more of the view.
“We still had people who loved the barn as it was but we have put so much care and attention into the hotel that we wanted it to be on par.”
Although still awaiting the go-ahead on planning permission, if approved, the spa will feature an outdoor heated pool which will be open all year as well as a sauna, steam room and woodfired eco hot tubs.
The hotel team hopes to create treatment spaces in shepherd hut-style pods and a separate spa reception.
Ellie said: “Common feedback is that a spa is one thing the area is lacking.
“We want to become a destination.
“The A606 is a busy road but we aren’t a place customers would just walk by.
“People need a reason to come here.”
The spa - which the team hopes to launch in May - will be open to hotel guests and members as well as those wanting to visit for the day.
Once this stage of the project is complete, plans will move forward for a farm shop and bicycle hire.
Ellie said: “We are really excited about what’s coming.
“Locals can come stay and make the most of what we have.”