DECEMBER 2007

Well, it seems to have taken forever, but at last work has started on the transformation of our new project.

Demolition and ripping stuff out seems to be the order of the day and the former Pottery Shed (looks like an old Scout hut to me!) is disappearing little by little (se below), to make way for something just as creative but much more luxurious and exciting.

Men at work!

Plans for the rooms are well under way and we are sourcing all manner of fabulous things to make this a place of real fantasy.

There is so much to do and building work alone will take several months but we know the whole thing is going to be so amazing that the time may well just fly by.  We'll keep you posted about what's happening on a month by month basis and put in a few photos to tempt you as we go along.

JANUARY 2008

Well so much has happened its hard to know where to start, but basically everything was coming down in January and whilst excavating at the rear of the main building we discovered a well which is about 8m deep and has water in the bottom.  It seems a common feature of the properties nearby  - we have one in our own garden and a neighbour has one incorporated into the floor of his new extension!  Thankfully its in a great position so we can incorporate it into the garden scheme.

 

Laying solid foundations

Walls have also come down in the main house and the foundations have been laid for the new garden apartments (see above).

Most excitingly, we've started to source furniture, fixtures and fittings for the hotel - we were at a furniture and lighting exhibition in Birmingham this month and it's given us so much food for thought and lots of great products, we are even more excited about the project than before.

FEBRUARY 2008

At last things seem to be going UP!  We now have scaffolding all over the main building (see below) and can't wait for the transformation there. 

The only way is up!

We should also see some progress on the garden apartments soon, which should really begin to transform the site.  We just can't wait!

 MARCH 2008

We have seen massive progress in March - the scaffolding is down, the windows are painted and the back of the property is being quite transformed.  The garden apartments are up and now have roofs; the restaurant extension is half way up and the bedrooms and reception area are really taking shape.  We have been talking to suppliers about all manner of goods and services and we hope the whole place will excite and delight both guests and staff alike.

We have a beautiful angel weather vane (a clue to our new identity perhaps?) and right now I think the cold northerly wind and snow might make her yearn for sunnier climes!  However, we hope that, whatever the weather, she will become a landmark in Durham and a symbol of yet another little corner of paradise. 

APRIL / MAY 2008

Things have been so busy that even writing an update has had to wait!  However, things are hotting up and the development is SO exciting we can hardly wait to be able to show it off.  There are so many tradesmen on site it's hardly credible  and we are getting lots of enquiries from would be guests and employees alike - we may even have our first honeymooners ready to book in.  There has been lots of paperwork and - dare I say! - bureaucracy to deal with to get all the permissions we need. 

Perhaps the biggest news this time round is that we can finally reveal the hotels name - FALLEN ANGEL - and you can read a little bit more on the hotel's own web site www.fallenangelhotel.com

The full website won't be unveiled for a few more weeks yet, but there is a holding page which might just tantalise you with some hints as to what's to come!

 JUNE/JULY 2008

Work has been hectic and I don't think we realised just how much work would be involved the nearer the project came to completion (well of the building stage anyway). 

We have been busy recruiting and will be able to reveal who is going to be managing this amazing venture very soon.  Watch this space!

The rooms are all really taking shape now and new goodies are arriving all the time.  Furniture, fixtures and fittings, flooring, lighting and much more too.  We're off on a final shopping spree shortly, so we anticipate even more fantastic accessories to entice you.

We've had a bit of press coverage thanks to Jane at Catapult our great PR company (please contact her on 01253 595558 for PR opportunities) and the interest is rising.  We've conducted a few 'hard hat' tours and the reactions have been amazing.  We've never been involved in a project which has created so much interest and positive feedback - long may that continue!

The website www.fallenangelhotel.com is now up and running so now you can get a better idea of what each room will be like.

                                                                                       

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the project.