Revamped hotel leisure club and spa gets seal of approval from STFC
The manager of Shrewsbury Town Football Club and the town’s mayor have officially opened a newly refurbished leisure club and spa at a historic county hotel.
The £400,000 project to rejuvenate the Inspirations Leisure and Spa Club at the Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hall Hotel has taken just six weeks to complete.
It’s the first major overhaul of the hotel’s leisure facilities on Ellesmere Road for 30 years and includes newly refreshed swimming pool, gym and spa.
The changing rooms have been completely refurbished and there are new treatment rooms, nail bars and a mezzanine floor relaxation room for all members and hotel guests to enjoy.
Representatives from Shrewsbury Town FC, who will now have regular use of the hotel’s facilities, gathered at the hotel on Monday along with the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Miles Kenny, and invited guests for the official opening.
Bill and Wyllis Turner, two of the first people to sign up as members when the leisure club first opened 30 years ago, were also on hand to help cut the ribbon with Shrewsbury Town manager, Micky Mellon, and Councillor Kenny.
Guests then enjoyed a champagne reception and tour of the new facilities.
Hotel general manager Jennifer Sibbald-Wall said: “We are so excited about the new look leisure facilities, the complex has been completely transformed into a luxury retreat.
“After 30 years many aspects of the leisure club and spa were starting to look a bit tired and were in desperate need of updating.
“We think members and hotel guests alike will be extremely impressed with the facilities and will find it a much more appealing place to come and relax and unwind.
“We are thrilled to have the support of Shrewsbury Town FC and look forward to welcoming members to the club on a regular basis.”
Mr Mellon, from Shrewsbury Town FC said: “Supporting the local community and businesses is important to us, and it’s great that facilities like these are available for local people to use.”
The leisure club makeover is part of an ongoing £2 million project to breathe new life into the 18th Century hotel, which was acquired by Peter Cashman 12 months ago.
The businessman, who is also chief executive of Focus Hotels which manages Madeley Court Hotel in Telford, brought the hotel with a vision in mind.
He said: “I knew straight away when I saw the hotel that it had great potential.
“It’s such a magnificent building and by all accounts a hidden gem in Shropshire.
“From day one it has been my vision to transform the listed property into the luxurious hotel it deserves to be and completion of the spa and leisure club represents a major milestone in the overall programme.
“The next stage will involve the refurbishment and expansion of the restaurant and bar.”
