News

Please can you update us on the latest progress with the expansion project?

2024 is an incredibly exciting time for us; our expansion plans are in full swing and we’re making great progress. We’ve already refurbished our lobby, all our more than 300 bedrooms, and redesigned our famous Brabazon Bar. Construction of our flagship 852sqm events space, The Masters Suite, which will include 149 brand new bedrooms, began in February, and last month we started work on building a state of the art new Leisure Club. This year will also see the expansion of our 2AA Rosette restaurant, The Ryder Grill, to incorporate The Ryder Grill Orangery which will increase our capacity by over 150 covers.

We pride ourselves on the unparallelled service we provide for our guests, and my team has been incredibly tenacious in ensuring every aspect of the development is being delivered with imagination, ambition and heart. This development is our commitment to our guests that The Belfry will always deliver an experience like no other, and we can’t wait to show them how the expansion will elevate their time with us.


Is the aspiration that The Masters Suite and the rest of the redevelopment will lead to increased community use of The Belfry?

Birmingham is now the biggest centre for business events outside of London. Last year, we turned away business due to capacity, so we know there is demand for a dynamic, large-scale events space in the Midlands. The Masters Suite addresses this need with ingenuity, creativity, and expertise, to support the regional economy and the billions of pounds business events bring to it each year.

But it doesn’t just stop there, our reach, and therefore our impact, is much wider. Located in the heart of England, with excellent transport links and more than 90% of the country’s population within a four-hour travel time, we are a draw for international event professionals too. Indeed, the West Midlands welcomed a record-breaking 141.2 million tourists last year. With the region’s vibrant cultural mix and welcoming persona, it’s not hard to see why.

We also anticipate an increase in leisure guests with the unveiling of our new Leisure Club. We expect families, in particular, will be eager to enjoy new adventures and create fun-filled memories by making the most of the club’s buzzing café and the thrilling family-friendly slide in its large swimming pool.

We are extremely proud of the leading role we play in serving the needs of the West Midlands and will continue to champion the region by investing in its economy, its people, and its future.


Please can you talk about the facilities that will be available as part of the new Leisure Club?

Our guests are the foundation of our business and at the heart of every decision we make. Above all, their enjoyment is paramount to us. This is why we’re so thrilled to be expanding and enhancing our leisure offering, and providing guests with an unparalleled fitness experience, with the building of our stylish new Leisure Club.

Spread across two levels, the ground floor will include a large swimming pool with an exhilarating family-friendly slide, a dedicated lap pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and a vibrant café ideal for bringing families together for a post-swim treat, or to indulge in some much-deserved post-workout refreshments.

From the first floor vantage point, four premium, glass-fronted studios, perfect for group classes such as yoga, will overlook acres of stunning green space, and sit alongside an extensive gym area with cutting-edge facilities. A large, high-ceilinged, multipurpose sports area will also provide the freedom and space visitors need to enjoy expansive sports such as tennis, netball and badminton.


What is a BREEAM Excellence rating and how would achieving it help The Belfry going forward?

As one of the region’s foremost hospitality and events venues, we believe in leading by example. Sustainability is at the forefront of our mind, for the health and welfare of our guests, but also for the long-term future of both our business and our planet as we adapt to its changing needs. The Leisure Club and The Masters Suite are being constructed with the aim of attaining a BREEAM Excellence* rating, a globally recognised building sustainability assessment, with both buildings needing to earn a score of at least 70% to achieve this.

We know a sustainable venue is also something which our guests value as they try to make choices for their lives which support the long-term health of the planet - something they have every right to expect from the businesses they choose to interact with. So, determined to minimise our environmental impact while also incorporating innovative solutions for long-term sustainability, our plans are taking into consideration the following factors as we embed sustainability into the heart of our operations:
• Solar panels
• Utilising sustainable materials and techniques
• The overall energy efficiency of the buildings
• PIR lighting controls
• Accessibility factors
• Biodiversity protection
• BMS monitors for gas/ power/ water/ heating.

Of course, as a resort, we’ve already adopted a stringent zero waste to landfill policy, and we are committed to only working with suppliers on The Masters Suite build who meet our strict sustainability requirements.

We all know this is a crucial decade for our planet, and I look forward to sharing more of our sustainability journey with you as the development progresses.