A high demand for hotel rooms has led to major changes at one of Nottingham's historic venues. The popular Lace Market Hotel decided to close Merchant's Restaurant and the Saint Bar, which were available to the general public as well as guests.
The space has been transformed into extra bedrooms. A £500,000 revamp in just ten weeks has created nine new rooms brining the total number of bedrooms to 51.
And the move is already reaping dividends with all the rooms fully booked this weekend and next. General manager Steve Cook said: "Business has been so good. Long may it continue. The demand for rooms post Covid has exceeded. We are really pleased. It’s been a long time coming. We put planning permission in before Covid hit.
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"It was a consideration because the restaurant was not performing as we wanted it to. There is so much amazing choice in Nottingham so we found people staying with us were coming to experience Nottingham and didn’t want to stay in the hotel for the whole evening."
Given its proximity to the Motorpoint Arena the hotel, with elegant Georgian features, is favoured by celebrities performing there as well as the Royal Centre and Rock City. Ricky Gervais, Joanna Lumley and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen are some of the famous faces who have spent the night there.
Around 75 per cent of guests are from the UK and of the rest, many are from America or Germany. But some haven't travelled very far at all. Mr Cook said: "We get a lot of locals who fancy a night out and a treat away from the kids."
The ground floor rooms have been designed in the same luxurious style as the existing bedrooms at the Grade II Iisted building in High Pavement. One has retained the sparkling chandelier from the restaurant and the silver ceiling panels.
Two are extra special, each with a secret courtyard. "One was where we used to keep empty beer kegs. It's all about reimagining space," said Mr Cook. In another nod to the building's past The Hideout room has a hook on the ceiling which used to be part of a winch bringing water up from the cave below.
Now the restaurant has gone, breakfast has switched to the hotel's adjoining pub, the Cook & Hoop, which has also had a makeover. "We have created a downstairs dining space for breakfast and afternoon tea. It was a lounge before but it was so under-utilised.
"We have found the pub is busier bringing more locals in. It's win win," said Mr Cook. A new menu of starters, mains and desserts has been launched to coincide with new look.
Smoked salmon carpaccio, beef shin and ale pie and roasted pepper arancini are amongst the dishes devised by new head chef Ashley Sherrocks. He's no stranger to the Lace Market Hotel though after a previous stint as a sous chef.
The Saint Bar was known for cocktails. Bartenders at the Cock & Hoop will now rustle up a Negroni, Tom Collins or a Black Velvet or pour a pint of cask and craft ale. Just Can't Get Enough from Castle Rock and Magpie's Aquila currently on draught.
Previously in the hands of an international hotel management company, the hotel is now in private ownership and independently run which allows more freedom in decision making and choosing suppliers, which in turn benefits local businesses.
"Beers are from within 20 miles of the hotel. We have Stewarts Coffee and Sauce Shop condiments. There is a real focus on supporting Nottingham," said Mr Cook.
An alfresco seating area overlooking High Pavement has been pepped up with plant-life and a some familiar features, namely a colourful portrait of a woman which used to hang on the wall of Merchant's and some of the wrought iron panelling from Saint Bar.
The decision to make such drastic changes was something they grappled with but Mr Cook added: "We need to see what's happening in the climate and the demand is people wanting to stay and visit Nottingham so we have taken advantage of that and supplied more rooms."
Should the hotel wish to expand more in the future permission has already been granted for a three-storey extension to create a further 12 bedrooms.
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