When looking at the overall workings of the hotel, it became apparent that there were a number of bottle necks in the circulation flow of the hotel. We therefore endeavoured to create a clear path through the building by introducing a new glazed door and screen from reception to help orientate on arrival and to open up to the southerly garden views beyond the dining area. Visitor access to bedrooms were also re-routed away from busy kitchen routes which vastly improves visitor safety and satisfaction.
We also reviewed the kitchen and dining area layout culminating in proposed extensions to both areas to capitalise on the growing popularity of the restaurant as a hotel asset for guests, but also as a wider community asset as a destination restaurant for the locals and for catered events. The hotel had been previously extended extensively the 1990's so the only way we could feasibly extend the grade 2* hotel further was to propose a very contemporary dining extension to the back side of the building. This is away from the most cherished historic fabric of the original hotel which found favour with Peak District National Park planners who were very happy with the proposals.
The commercial kitchen is also approved to be extended which will allow the kitchen yo be capable of catering for large groups and even weddings, which are periodically hosted in marquees on the lawns.
The materials of the new extension are a simple palette of zinc standing seam roofs, glass and natural gritstone. The contemporary form can never in future be confused as an original feature, which allows the new extensions to sit harmoniously against the original form and massing of the hotel.