Tees Business Tees Business issue 19 | Page 34

34 | Tees Business HERD ABOUT THIS? Refurbishment - The Hardwick Arms has undergone a £1.2m investment. £1.2m investment gives Hardwick Arms the wow-factor C ool tones, a contemporary vibe and a clever mix of creative food and drinks all add up to create the perfect welcome at Teesside’s newest dining experience. The Hardwick Arms Hotel in Sedgefield has recently reopened its doors after a £1.2m investment, including a refurbishment which has seen the Grade II listed Victorian building - one of the County Durham town’s landmark premises - undergo a complete transformation. And what a transformation it is. The major overhaul has breathed a brand new lease of life into the 18th-century coach inn which, says operations manager Rachel Johnson, has seen it become almost a polar opposite of what it once was. Step inside and you’ll find cool tones and a contemporary hue in the trendy and welcoming 60-cover Herd and Herb restaurant, which has its own stylish lounge bar area for pre-dinner drinks. There are beautifully designed booths to complement the tables in the main eating area, topped off by smooth wooden floors and trendy lighting. The hotel has 11 rooms, all of which have been redesigned and are already attracting plaudits. Phase two of the refurb is also almost complete and will see the creation of a new Hardwick Bar and Summer Cafe from rooms that were previously used as a cellar, servants’ quarters and storage. “The Hardwick Arms was the go-to pub for people in Sedgefield,” says Rachel. “When we purchased it, safe to say it was quite tired, but we decided we would run it as it was for a period of time so we could listen and really hear what people wanted. “We knew the direction we wanted to take it from the very start. The renovation has involved a lot of work but the results are amazing, we’re very proud of what we have created and have received some wonderful feedback since we opened.” The project has taken four months and was carried out for owners EMA Group Holdings by contractors including Stockton commercial refurbishment specialists Wells Solutions. Managing director Garry Wells and his team serve clients across the UK as well as right here in the North-East, working on everything from business start-ups to household names. He knew the Hardwick Arms was a project he wanted to take on from the moment he was introduced to the owner’s vision for the place. “I came to have a look around before we took the project on and it was the vision of the owners that made us want to get Working today for better partnerships tomorrow Commercial refurbishment Electrical Plumbing & Heating Walls, Floors & Ceilings Date Communication Telecommunications W: wellssolutions.com T: 01642 607232