Stratton House Delivers A Blast From The Past

Crown Sports Lockers received a call out of the blue early this year (2021) from Stratton House Hotel, a boutique hotel in Cirencester. Having initially spoken to the Crown team at the 2017 ‘Independent Hotel Show’, Stratton House wanted to discuss their plan to expand and offer their guests spa facilities. However, due to the building’s historic status (Grade II listed) and the pandemic, it took longer than anticipated to secure planning permission and kick-start the project. “Once we were in a position to press the ‘go’ button again, Crown were our first port of call to help us progress the project by fitting out changing areas and treatment rooms.” says hotel director Aidan Stevens The £1m expansion complete, Stratton House’s ‘Spa in the Garden’ opened for business in mid-May but the sector havoc that lockdown had wreaked had left its owners awash with uncertainty, like so many hospitality and leisure venues. With ‘Terminus Day’ taking place on 19th July, Aidan expects to see their venture bustling with new business throughout the Summer. “We’ve already received some great feedback from guests, which I hope will continue as hospitality returns to normal.” Stratton House: Image of a bespoke wooden 'dry vanity', surrounded by wooden changing room lockers designed and installed by Crown Sports Lockers. The Concept Aidan recalls the rocky road to creating the spa destination. Nestling in the Cotswolds, near Cirencester, Stratton House presents a characterful face, resplendent in period stone construction dating back to the 16th century. Purchased by the Stevens family five years ago, the property offered major potential for expansion. “Creating a new spa was our intention from the start, but the Grade II listing would mean preserving the hotel’s original frontage. We’re in a conservation area and the planners have exacting requirements about what we can and cannot do.” “We were anxious to maximise the opportunity at the back of the hotel while preserving the feel of a walled garden,” Aidan continues. “The vision was to feature a glass pavilioned spa building in the garden, which would largely remain out of sight.” “I’d met Sam (Palmer, Crown’s then project manager, now co-director) on the IHS stand and discussed the project with him. The business model was to reposition us as a destination hotel with greater emphasis on leisure – to attract guests looking to relax with half-day spa packages, that could include manicures, pedicures, sauna, steam, whirlpool spa and relaxation room.” Stratton House guests can enjoy a host of leisure attractions and picture-postcard Cotswolds villages nearby – Sudeley Castle, Westonbirt Arboretum and Gloucester Cathedral are all convenient. Stratton House: Image of a bespoke wood and tile 'wet vanity' with circular raised sinks, designed and installed by Crown Sports Lockers. Stratton House: Image of one of the spa treatment rooms, featuring cupboards and storage solutions designed and installed by Crown Sports Lockers. Stratton House: Image of one of the spa treatment rooms, featuring cupboards and storage solutions designed and installed by Crown Sports Lockers. Stratton House: Image of a bespoke wooden changing room locker system with integrated light blue bench seating, designed and installed by Crown Sports Lockers. Stratton House: Image of the jacuzzi at Stratton House Hotel. Stratton House: Image of the indoor pool at Stratton House Hotel. Stratton House: Image of the reception area at Stratton House Hotel. The Installation After finally gaining planning permission for the development in 2019, Aidan picked up with Sam again in December. “We were within 36 hours of signing the contract with the builders but had to hit the pause button, due to unforeseen delays. Then Covid-19 hit, causing further disruptions.” By January 2021, Aidan had pressed ‘go’ again, inviting Sam to measure up on-site in late March and a month after Crown had completed a seven-day fit out of Egger décor male and female spa changing rooms, embracing lockers with integrated seating, wet and dry vanities, towel display and drop units and ancillary furniture in five treatment rooms, including cupboards and worktops. “Crown made a sizeable input into the project,” says Aidan, “working closely with my wife Sarah, who has an eye for design, and helping us make greater use of the space by hiding away storage units and rethinking the ladies area by introducing more privacy for both guests and staff. They really applied their extensive experience with designing and fitting out spa facilities to take the end result beyond our expectations.” Stratton House: Image of the outside of Stratton House Hotel. Testimonial “Crown sold themselves to us in a non-pushy way, without the usual sales spiel. They priced the job sensibly, at such a level that we didn’t have to labour too heavily over accepting their proposals. Their fitout team provided a light touch – simply getting on with things quietly and efficiently. Simply put, Crown were as chilled working with us as we hope our guests will be with their spa experience here.” Aidan Stevens, Hotel Director, Stratton House

For more information on Stratton House Delivers A Blast From The Past talk to Crown Sports Lockers (UK) Limited