Once planning is approved work will start on converting Birkwood Castle in Scotland into a 48-bedroom conference and events destination. Birkwood Castle was a family home until the 1920s when it was purchased by Lanarkshire Council and converted into a hospital for mentally disabled children. This subsequently closed in 2005.

Birkwood Castle is a Grade-B listed building but in a poor state of repair with a renovation bill estimated at around £7million. However Birkwood Castle is situated on an 86-acre estate part of which will be turned into a housing development.
Birkwood Castle is operated by Envestco who also operate Peckforton Castle in Cheshire. The anticipated opening date for the boutique-styled hotel is April 2016. There are plans to add a spa during a second phase of redevelopment and this will mirror the spa at Peckforton Castle. The spa is not expected to open before 2019.

Birkwood Castle is located at Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire.

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Published: 24 November 2014

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Focus Hotels have taken over the management of two additional hotels bringing their portfolio strength to 17 properties. The hotels are: Ramada Oldbury Birmingham and the Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa. The new management takes effect from 21st November 2014 in both cases.

Ramada Oldbury Birmingham Hotel is eight years old and located in Wolverhampton Road (A4123) just off Junction 2 of the M5. The hotel has five conference suites and 81 bedrooms.

Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa (pictured) has 87 contemporary bedrooms, a restaurant and terrace bar, a spa with an indoor heated pool plus seven meeting rooms which can host up to 400 delegates for meetings.

Hotels under Focus Hotels’ management are predominantly three -star properties across the UK including Mercure, Ibis and Doubletree by Hilton branded hotels as well as some independent hotels. All offer comfortable bedrooms with plenty of working space, free parking and free wi-fi.

Details: www.focushotels.co.uk

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Published: 21 November 2014

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Rudding Park Hotel’s revised plans for a new spa extension have been recommended for approval. The new complex will offer 41,000 sq. ft. of space over three floors with spa treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and juice bar, a swimming pool along with a restaurant, retail space and a roof garden.

Rudding Park Hotel now has 90 bedrooms following an extension in 2009. It is a 4-star hotel centred on the Grade I-listed Rudding Park House in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. It features the 2-AA Rosette Clocktower Restaurant; nine main meeting rooms plus breakout areas and private dining rooms; a 14-seater cinema; an 18-hole golf course and grounds for team building and country sports.

Rudding Park Hotel is located in Follifoot, two and half miles south of Harrogate with good access to the M1, M62 and A1(M).

Details: www.ruddingpark.co.uk

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Published: 24 November 2014

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Northcote hotel and restaurant in Langho, Lancashire has joined the Relais & Châteaux portfolio of worldwide luxury gourmet restaurants and boutique hotels. It joins a group of 600 properties from 60 countries with 32 in the UK and just the one in Lancashire.

Northcote is a four-red-AA star hotel with 18 bedrooms, a Michelin star restaurant, a Cookery School plus meeting and private dining rooms - situated on the edge of the Ribble Valley in the heart of Lancashire. The restaurant serves traditional Lancashire recipes with a modern twist, created from local produce. The Chef’s Table, in the kitchen, offers diners an insight into how a top kitchen operates.

Northcote is located in Langho, a small village on the outskirts of Blackburn with good access to the M6 and just off the main A59 Trans-Pennine road.

Details: www.northcote.com

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Published: 21 November 2014

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