Building contractors have been appointed to restore the historic Grade 1-listed Buxton Crescent in Derbyshire and convert it into a five-star spa hotel.

The £37million contract will include construction of a  79-bedroom, five-star spa hotel incorporating the neighbouring natural baths, a new visitor interpretation centre, a state-of-the-art thermal, natural mineral water spa plus several specialist shops.

The first phase of the redevelopment work on the site started in 2012 but the job stalled over funding issues which have now been resolved. Publication of a detailed building schedule is expected in September 2014.

Details: www.buxtoncrescent.co.uk


The Strand Dining Rooms have just opened next to Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. The restaurant is open for for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. It serves a menu of contemporary European dishes. The Strand Dining Rooms can accommodate private functions for up to 120 guests.

Details: www.thestranddiningrooms.com


Building work is progressing on the much delayed Beorma Quarter scheme in the centre of Birmingham. It will include a new 110-bedroom Adagio Hotel located in the former Digbeth Cold Storage building. In addition to the hotel, the first phase of the scheme in Digbeth will incorporate an office complex and innovation centre.

Construction is scheduled for completion by autumn 2014. Later phases of the scheme will include a 27-storey landmark tower.

The Beorma Quarter, named after the man who founded Birmingham in the seventh century, is a short walk from both New Street and Moor Street stations in the centre of Birmingham.


St George's Park, home to the FA's National Football Centre near Burton on Trent has opened its new Outdoor Leadership Centre. The facility, which is available for corporate hire and team building events, offers 15 different leadership and team exercises including a 40 foot climbing tower and a variety of high and low rope activities plus an archery range and a laser combat zone.

St George's Park is the new home for England’s 24 national teams. The £105million facility is set in 330-acres of Staffordshire countryside and opened in 2012 with 12 outdoor pitches, a full-size indoor 3G pitch, a suite of rehabilitation and sports science areas, an indoor Futsal sports hall and an on-site Hilton hotel.

Details:  www.thefa.com


Laura Ashley has launched a second hotel - Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield. It joins Laura Ashley The Manor Hotel in Elstree, formerly known as the Edgwarebury Hotel, which was bought in 2012 by Laura Ashley Ltd.
Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield is located in Bowness and is set in six acres of gardens on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere. Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield has 62 designer bedrooms, including 25 lake view rooms. Dining is provided in the Belsfield Restaurant and Belsfield Brasserie. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, relaxation area and a sauna.

Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield has six newly refurbished meeting rooms each equipped with the latest technology. The largest room will seat up to 120 delegates for a theatre style meeting. Wireless high speed internet access is complimentary for all hotel guests and meeting delegates.

Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield is 1.5 miles from Windermere station and 90 miles from Manchester International Airport. The M6 junction 36 is the nearest motorway entrance and exit.

Details:   www.lauraashleyhotels.com