Today’s news in brief – 14/5/25
Whitbread has acquired the long-vacant Central Plaza site in Carlisle with plans to build a 104-bedroom Premier Inn hotel. The site, formerly in disrepair and under The Crown Estate’s escheat, was cleared by Carlisle City Council in 2020. Working with CBRE, Cumberland Council selected Whitbread as the preferred developer, citing its strong regeneration proposal and market leadership. A planning application is expected this summer, with an opening targeted before the end of 2028. Whitbread’s Jill Anderson emphasised the project’s local economic benefits, while Council Leader Mark Fryer hailed it as a milestone in Carlisle’s broader city centre transformation.
Fowlescombe Farm, a regenerative organic estate near Dartmoor dating back to 1537, has launched 10 luxury suites as part of a new rural retreat. Led by Caitlin Owens and Paul Glade, the site includes a farm-to-table restaurant, concierge service, and bespoke guest experiences. The suites, set within repurposed historical buildings, were designed by Studio Gugger and Glade, using sustainable, local materials. Interiors feature high-end craftsmanship, including wool mattresses from the farm’s own sheep. The retreat also features The Refectory, a resident-only dining space with hyper-seasonal menus, and The Greenhouse for events, showcasing the estate’s sustainable ethos.
Gleddoch Hotel and Spa in Scotland will open its new Imperia Spa in June, a luxury 1,100sqm facility inspired by the heritage of Baron Lithgow and Europe’s imperial salons. Designed by 3Design Scotland, the spa includes standout features such as an indoor pool, a palm-filled orangery, and the UK’s largest outdoor sauna with panoramic views. Wellness offerings include thermal facilities, a hydrotherapy pool, spa restaurant, fitness suite, and seven treatment rooms. General manager James Anderson described the spa as a transformative luxury destination poised to elevate Scotland’s spa tourism profile.
The Ambassadors Hotel in Bloomsbury has reopened as The Memoir Club following a £7m rebrand that honours the Bloomsbury Set’s literary legacy. Redesigned by ICA Studio, the hotel features 100 art deco-inspired rooms, cultural design elements referencing Virginia Woolf, and the Adeline Restaurant offering Eastern-Mediterranean cuisine and themed cocktails. The Memoir Club also provides flexible event spaces named after Bloomsbury luminaries. Located near Euston and St. Pancras, the relaunch aims to merge heritage with contemporary sophistication, with GM George Konstas positioning the venue as a cultural and hospitality destination.
