FJB Hotels currently operate three Poole-based hotels: Haven Hotel, Sandbanks Hotel and Harbour Heights Hotel, all situated on the Sandbanks Peninsula in Dorset.

FJB Hotels are now considering that due to their location, age and the building materials used, there will come a time when the three hotels will reach a position where the level of required work to maintain the structure of the buildings will no longer be possible.

With this in mind, FJB Hotels have submitted plans to demolish all three and build two new Poole hotels in their place.

The proposed redevelopment includes:
A new three/four-star state-of-the-art waterfront hotel on the site of the Sandbanks Hotel
A new five-star boutique hotel with spa facilities on the site of the existing Harbour Heights Hotel.
The Haven Hotel would be redeveloped as a mixed-use residential development incorporating restaurant facilities.

Plans are currently under consideration at Poole Council.

See: http://mailchi.mp/18a30738194d/exciting-proposals-by-fjb-hotels-2109?e=b64c20b628 for further details of the FJB plans as well as an invitation to forward your opinion.

Picture: proposed Sandbanks Hotel redevelopment


The Natural History Museum in Kensington, London is gearing up for the relaunch of its main events space - Hintze Hall - on 14 July 2017.

The star of the new Hintze Hall will be a blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling. For the first time, the public will be able to walk underneath the largest animal ever to have lived.

Hintze Hall will be the largest events venue at the Natural History Mueum with a reception capacity of 1,200 people.

Hintze Hall will rejoin a selection of other meeting spaces at the Natural History Museum including the Flett Events Theatre, a purpose-built auditorium accommodating up to 200 delegates.

The Natural History Museum is located in Cromwell Road in South Kensington. Details: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/

 


Meanwhile on the other side of London, in Farringdon, the new Postal Museum at Mount Pleasant is also planning a July 2017 opening.

The Postal Museum promises to be a light, bright and contemporary events space. The Postal Museum chronicles the history of the Royal Mail and will be available to hire for up to 140 guests for events such as cocktail receptions, summer parties and BBQs.

Across the road from the Postal Museum is Mail Rail - the Post Office’s former underground rail system used to distribute the mail underground across London. The former engineering depot and tunnels will be reopening as an events venue.

Delegates will be able to board a miniature train to transport them through the historic tunnels which once delivered mail across the city.

The space will accommodate up to 275 guests for a standing reception or 140 seated. It can be used for dinners and receptions, product launches and award ceremonies, networking and breakfast briefings plus filming and photography.

The Postal Museum and Mail Rail are located at the Royal Mail’s sorting office in Mount Pleasant, Farringdon. It is a short walk from Euston and Kings Cross St Pancras mainline rail terminals.  Details: https://postalmuseum.org/


Roomzzz aparthotels has received the go-ahead to develop a new 98 apartment hotel at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

It is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Initial plans submitted by Roomzzz to Harrogate Borough Council were refused but Roomzzz have successfully appealed that decision.

Roomzzz Harrogate will include a small breakfast area and lounge on the ground floor and all units will feature a kitchenette.

Roomzzz expects the aparthotel will be used by customers attending the Great Yorkshire Showground which is host to nearly 700 events throughout the year, including the agricultural Great Yorkshire Show, fairs, trade shows and business conferences.

Details: http://www.roomzzz.com/


Construction work is set to begin on the new £100million HD One leisure development alongside the John Smith Stadium in the centre of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

The development will include a new £13million, six-storey Park Inn hotel, a ten-pin bowling alley, a ski-slope and a variety of restaurants as well as maintaining existing outlets which include a nine-screen Odeon multiplex cinema.

The John Smith Stadium in Huddersfield was launched originally as the McAlpine Stadium in 1994. However, the lack of executive quality hotel rooms close to the stadium has been cited as part of the reason it has struggled to attract big events in recent years.

Work is due to start shortly on site with a completion date of 2020 although the hotel is expected to open sooner.

Details: http://www.thehdone.com/about/


The new 54-bedroom Lodge at Solent is set to open at the Solent Hotel and Spa in Fareham, Hampshire, on 7th July 2017.

The Lodge will complement the existing 117 bedrooms at the Solent Hotel and Spa in Fareham. Both properties are part of Thwaites Hotels and Spas.

The Lodge at Solent will include seven bedrooms with a balcony. All will feature the latest technology including a flat screen television, USB charging points as well as a walk -in shower, a good bed and plenty of desk space.

The Lodge at Solent Hotel and Spa will be the second Lodge developed by Thwaites. It follows on from the success of the Lodge on the Park at Aztec Hotel and Spa in Bristol.

Details: https://www.thwaites.co.uk/hotels-and-inns/lodges/lodge-at-solent/about-us/