NORTHAMPTON’S market town heritage features strongly in a major refurbishment and upgrade of a town centre hotel.
The Mercure Hotel in Silver Street becomes the town centre’s first four-star hotel as a result of the upgrade, which has seen all 146 bedrooms given a new look as well as a wide-ranging overhaul of the lobby, reception and bar areas.
And the new look was unveiled to guests including senior businesspeople at a gala evening on Thursday (June 20) featuring food, drink and entertainment.
The hotel will be operated under a franchise agreement and the extensive renovation celebrates both the history and future of the town centre, particularly Market Square.
The hotel is themed around the concept of a Market Square, with concessions for local independents. Yellow Bourbon coffee roasters in nearby Angel Street is supplying the hotel’s coffee area, Warner’s gin is stocked in the bar and Phipps beer is on tap.
“We hope to develop partnerships with many other local businesses to emphasise our commitment to the local area,” said hotel manager James Simpson. “It is really pleasing to see all the hard work of the past 12 months come together. This has been an incredibly exciting journey to be a part of.”
During its refit, the hotel partnered with several local charities to rehome old fixtures and fittings. Now the hotel is working with its two charity partners, Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Northamptonshire Mind, to lay on a special afternoon tea with a percentage of sales going direct to the charities.
Group commercial manager Simon Smith said: “Our work with local charities and good causes has been one of my personal highlights of this project. We want to make a real difference to the community we serve.”
The hotel is also benefiting from the makeover of nearby St Katherine’s Gardens and the redevelopment of the Market Square is expected to further regenerate the area.
Mark Mullen, operations manager of Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District, said: “It is always pleasing to see a business commit its long-term future to Northampton and this investment is a real show of confidence in what lies ahead for the town centre.”