Work is underway to transform a city centre hotel into a boutique spa and conference venue.
Grade II listed Grey Street Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne, is undergoing a £1.2m, 32-week phased development programme which will boost its 46-strong workforce and put it at the forefront of the city’s hospitality sector.
The first stage of the rolling programme is the refurbishment of the hotel’s 49 bedrooms, which have been individually styled to combine contemporary luxury with unique tributes to the city’s heritage.
Decorated in a monochromatic scheme with accents of teal, green, pink or purple, each room has a feature wall bearing a large scale image of a Tyneside landmark – including the neighbouring Theatre Royal – or figure, such as Earl Grey, from whom the street and hotel take their name.
Plans unveiled by the hotel’s owner, Newcastle-based Malhotra Group plc, also reveal a number of changes to the hotel’s layout, including the relocation of the entrance and the introduction of a street front coffee shop on the ground floor.
A conference and event space – holding up to 100 people – will be located in the lower basement along with a new spa, comprising three treatment rooms, a manicure and pedicure suite and a hair and beauty salon.
“This development, which will create an additional 12 full and part time jobs, goes way beyond cosmetic,” said Atul Malhotra, operations director at The Malhotra Group plc.
“We’ve taken an entirely fresh look at the space to widen its appeal to residents and non-residents alike.
“Our challenge has been in providing the standard of luxury and comfort today’s hotel visitors expect, while respecting the building’s historical and architectural significance and I am confident we will achieve this.”
Work on Grey Street Hotel is expected to complete in May 2017 and the hotel will be open as usual throughout the development. For further information, contact www.greystreethotel.co.uk.