NEWS
BUSINESS BRIEFS
HOTEL ’ S BOLD BID
Hall reveals £ 13m spa and bedroom expansion plans
An ambitious scheme to create a luxury spa and health club and additional 35 bedrooms at a County Durham hotel is hoping to get the go-ahead from councillors .
Hardwick Hall Hotel near Sedgefield is currently awaiting planning permission for the £ 13m scheme , which if successful will see work begin late 2023 .
The exciting new scheme will rejuvenate buildings that have been derelict for more than 60 years , as well as creating 140 temporary construction jobs and 63 new full and part jobs once completed .
The spa development will include a 25m swimming pool , a state-of-the-art gym , aerobics studio , spa bath house , thermal suite a swim in / swim out pool and spa garden .
It will also offer 13 treatment rooms , relaxation areas , changing facilities and a restaurant with private dining options .
The application includes a proposal for an additional 35 bedrooms which will be built on two storeys in the style of a coach house around a courtyard which will also house the main spa pool .
There will be 33 premier rooms , with Juliet balconies on the upper level and private garden space for the ground floor along with two large suites .
The designs have been created to ensure they are in keeping with the existing look of the hotel with materials having been “ carefully selected to be sympathetic to and complement the existing hotel and setting .”
John Adamson , owner of Ramside Estates , believes the scheme will be a huge boost not just for the hotel but for the area .
“ The proposed development supports Visit County Durham ambition to increase the visitor economy while also adding to more beds for visitors to the county ,” he said .
“ It will be a flagship development for the area which will absolutely create more awareness and drive more visitors which is positive not just for the hotel but for the county as a whole .
“ We look forward to Durham County Council giving it the green light so we can get started on bringing something really exceptional to the area .”
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS BIRTHDAY !
Aycliffe Business will publish a special edition in December to celebrate the publication ’ s 10th anniversary .
The booking deadline to get involved in issue # 60 of Aycliffe Business is 5pm on Friday , November 18 .
MUSEUM REFURB Members of the public can have their say on plans to redevelop the former Durham Light Infantry ( DLI ) Museum and Art Gallery into an exhibition centre , gallery , café and restaurant .
In March this year , Durham County Council ’ s Cabinet approved proposals to redevelop the building , at Aykley Heads , for cultural use .
While The Story at Mount Oswald will be the permanent home for the DLI collection , the site at Aykley Heads will include space for a DLI Gallery . The Story is expected to open to the public in 2023 .
£ 70K CARE INVESTMENT A scheme which helps train adult social care staff has received more than £ 70,000 in funding to enable workers to develop their skills .
County Durham Care Academy , which was launched by Durham County Council in 2019 , has secured £ 72,490 from the Workforce Development Fund ( WDF ).
The investment will be used to support the training of adult social care staff across County Durham , helping local care providers to cover the cost of upskilling their staff .
FUTURE BUSINESS MAGNATES Businesses are being encouraged to share their expertise and inspire the future workforce of County Durham by giving their backing to an annual competition .
Future Business Magnates ( FBM ), now in its 18th year , will see enterprising young minds from the county ’ s secondary schools working together with partner businesses to create , develop and present their ideas for a solution to a current commercial challenge .
Organisers , Business Durham , the Business Support service of Durham County Council , are looking for more companies to help create the next generation of entrepreneurs . For more details , visit businessdurham . co . uk .
To get involved , call 01325 728024 or email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 11