Press Release December 2008

Hempstead House in Sparkling Health Thanks to Clydesdale Bank

Following a multi-million pound investment Hempstead House Hotel, between Sittingbourne and Faversham, has completed the latest chapter in the owner's aspirations to create Kent's leading hotel.

Thanks to owners Mandy and Henry Holdstock, and their longstanding relationship with Clydesdale Bank, guests at Hempstead House Hotel can now enjoy the luxury spa, incorporating five treatment rooms, three pools, a sauna, steam room and state-of-the-art fitness centre, and choose from a further seven bedrooms.

The 11 month build project, was financed by Clydesdale Bank's Financial Solutions Centre based at Maidstone with additional funding from the owners.

"Attention to detail and an active interest in the wellbeing of our customers is what has made us successful," said Mandy Holdstock, "And it was this shared business philiosophy that first brought Clydesdale Bank and us together more than 10 years ago when other banks showed little interest."

The Hotel, which opened in 1990 and employs more than 50 people, sits in four acres of countryside between the villages of Bapchild and Teynham.

Mandy Holdstock added: "This latest investment is very significant for the future of Hempstead House as it enables us to increase bookings by improving what we can offer as a wedding venue, conference and business hotel as well as the lucrative spa break market.  It is the third project we have completed with Clydesdale Bank."

Andrew Cheetham, Senior Business Partner, Clydesdale Bank said: "This is a great business with a strong management team who do what they say they are going to do, which enables us to have complete confidence in what we are lending.

"Interestingly, the owners have been able to pay back their loans ahead of schedule, which although this wouldn't be popular with many banks, clearly demonstrates their strong financial management and ability to deliver against what they have forecast in their business plan." 

Completion 25th October 2008

We are open!!!

Hydrotherapy pool and Jacuzzi	Main Pool
Gym	Treadmills
Powerplate and Kinesis machines	Spa Reception
Manicure, Pedicure area	Brasserie
Brasserie	Treatment Room
Suite

October 2008

The final month has arrived and contractors, decorators, landscape gardeners,interior designers and staff are all working tirelessly to  be ready for the opening date at the end of the month. Memberships are growing daily and we are already selling Spa days, packages and gift vouchers. The popularity of our new venture is taking us by surprise and we are delighted that so many people believe in what we are going to achieve. We know it is going to be the best facility in the area and its wonderful that other people share that belief.

September 2008 

As the internal building is now into its final four weeks, work is starting on the landscaping and terracing. There are going to be two water features within the grounds, one on the terraced area outside the brasserie and the other in the secluded spa garden to the East of the development. The bedrooms are almost completed and carpets will be going down within the next two weeks. The bathrooms are all being tiled and the treatment rooms are nearly ready for the training of our new therapists which is sheduled to start on the 22nd September.

August 2008

The swimming pool tiling starts on Monday 4th and we will see the ground floor develop rapidly. Bathrooms are in upstairs and the bedrooms are almost complete. It is very exciting ordering all the furniture and new equipment for the treatment rooms and spa facilities which are going to make it such a special environment. A haven of peace and tranquility for mind and body relaxation. The new 'Technogym Wellness' system is going to provide the very best of the best exercise facilities downstairs alongside the fitness studio with the 'Kinesis' and 'Powerplate' machines and of course the swimming pools. Dont miss out on the opportunity to become a member of this wonderful new facility.

July 2008   

The roof is now complete and the clock tower is in place in all its glory! Plastering has commenced and the first floor is almost done with the decorators already painting in the new bedrooms. The electrical and mechanical installations are almost complete and all the windows and doors are in too. It now looks like a new building instead of a shell and all the internal fixtures and fittings are currently being decided on and ordered.

June 2008 

The roof tiling is now well under way and the section above the courtyard has been completed to allow the scaffolding and hoarding to be removed for Gazebo weddings taking place this month. Inside the building the first fixing of electrics and plumbing has started and interior finishes and colour schemes are being decided upon.

May 2008

The roof trusses are being craned on and when the tiling is complete, the main construction work will be done. The swimming pool is progressing well and everything is on schedule. Memberships continue to grow and the special discounted joining offers are still available.    

April 2008
The construction is now up to first floor level and works are progressing very well. Memberships continue to increase and we are delighted by the response from everyone who has so far committed to us. Despite the recent bad weather and snow, the project is still on schedule and the ground floor rooms are now set out.  Work has started on the swimming pool and the first floor is well under construction.

March 2008

The construction work is almost back on schedule after the wet weather we suffered in February and we have now reached first floor level. The floor beams will arrive very soon and work on the new swimming pool will commence next month. We have been delighted by the response to our brochures and memberships are continuing to rise steadily. Dont forget to apply soon to be guaranteed the opening discounts.

February 2008

Having announced our tariffs and special joining offers on Thursday 31st January, we have now taken our first 2 memberships. Here is a comment from the first memeber ......"I am 48 this year and want to be the fittest at fifty, and wanted to be able do it in style, and luxury, that is why I selected "AquaManda"

Work continues to progress well on the site with the bricklayers now in full swing so the building is taking shape rapidly. bricks_and_blocks

The fast response to our first advertising campaign has taken us by surprise and Memberships are now rolling in. DO CONTACT US SOON IF YOU WISH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPENING OFFERS.

Meanwhile the bricks and blocks continue to grow and the building is growing daily.

January 2008

The New Year begins well and many lorry loads of concrete are poured into the ground to complete the footings. Wet weather slows us down somewhat but we are still well on schedule. A lot of hard work on the part of our gardening team has gone into transforming the hoarding into a new garden area with wonderful plants and hanging baskets. It has become a beautifully landscaped backdrop which will change with the seasons.  steels

This week the steels go in and the construction takes on a new phase.

December 2007

After months and months of brainstorming and competitions, we have finally decided on our name 'AquaManda'. For those of you who are old enough to remember, it was a range of cosmetics from the 1970's made by Goya,  in the same era as Mary Quant and Biba? It now no longer exists but we like the name and feel it is appropriate. We hope you like it too.

Progress on site continues but there will be a two week break for the Christmas period whilst we of course continue to work!

November 2007
After many months of planning, work has commenced on this exciting project. In the next few weeks, the ground workers will be pulling down and digging up - all very destructive but necessary in order to make way for the impressive new facilities.

Week One
And so it begins........... The hoardings go up and the digging and demolition start. We need an artist to paint some attractive scenery on the rather bare fencing around the site - any offers gratefully received!















Week Two

This week we have signed the contract with 'Technogym'  and 'Powerplate' for the supply of all the State of the Art gym equipment. All the cardiovascular machines will have the latest 19" screens and Ipod docks so that members can watch and listen to the entertainment of their choice during their workout. Please CLICK HERE to see a complete list of the the equipment which will be installed.

Week Three

The footings go in.........................................