Video: Notts TV’s Sophia Ratcliffe explores the new-look Bridgford Hall
A West Bridgford wedding venue has re-opened after £2.3 million revamp to turn it into an apartment hotel.
Bridgford Hall has been transformed by the year-long project led by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
And seven apartments opened on Tuesday (June 13) allowing wedding guests to stay overnight.
Modernised features include two rooms for the registration service and an entrance point for the apartments.
And at the official opening on Tuesday (June 13) artefacts found during the build, including original flooring, were put on display.
James Bates, conservation owner at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: “The top floor has suspended plaster floors rather than floorboards. The material left from those floors still has the marks and evidence of straw.”
He added: “One of the more interesting things that was found was a horse’s tooth in part of the building which used to be a stable.”
The hall, in Bridgford Park, is Grade II listed and dates back to 1768.
It was bought by Rushcliffe Borough Council in 1923, having previously been the home of the Musters family.
And since 1982 it has been used by Nottinghamshire County Council as a place to register births.
The aparthotel will be run by private company Birchover Residences, which will lease it from Rushcliffe Borough Council.
The council’s leader, Simon Robinson, said the renovation is key to create jobs and boost the local economy.
But he added if the money had not been available, the hall could have ended up being sold outright rather than renovated.
He said: “We’d have looked at other options – the worst would have been selling the building, with very strict planning conditions on there.”
The renovation was funded by both the council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The fund’s chief executive Ros Kerslake said: “It’s fantastic to see it taking the next step in its life and back in the heart of the community and really having a role to play.”
Apartments are expected to cost between £150 and £300 a night, and groups renting out all seven apartments will be given discounts.
Birchover Residences says more than 100 bookings have already made by couples planning tying the knot.
