Exclusive: Ian Taylor reveals Homewood expansion plans

Kaleidoscope Collection owner Ian Taylor has revealed plans to expand Homewood Park to nearly double its current bedroom capacity.

Ian and Christa Taylor announced the acquisition of the 21-bedroom, four-silver-AA-star Homewood Park Hotel & Spa just outside Bath in Freshford last week.

They are also due to exchange contracts for Homewood Lodge imminently, aiming to complete the acquisition by October. The lodge was formerly part of Homewood Park's estate but has more recently been used as a private house by the Usher family.

Subject to planning, the Taylors aim to relocate the wedding and events business into Homewood Lodge and its barn, freeing up the restaurant and space in the main house, while the lodge stables could become treatment rooms for the hotel's spa.

Their focus is to add further "interesting accommodation" such as shepherd's huts, treehouses and existing cottages on the estate. "20 is a little bit on the tight side to make it stack financially for us," said Taylor, with the aim being 40 bedrooms in total.

He added: "Over the last 10 years Homewood Park lost its way a little bit and it needs to get back to its former self, and we're very keen to see the local community become part of the hotel. It's our version of doing something in the country and giving it the Kaleidoscope touch and feel."

Taylor expects the refurbishments to amount to approximately £2.5m over the next three years, while the acquisitions of both Homewood Park and Lodge will total just over £3m.

The Kaleidoscope Collection also includes the 40-bedroom No.15 Great Pulteney and the 28-bedroom County hotel in Bath's city centre.

Taylor revealed to The Caterer that within the next month they will be renaming the County hotel the Bird, having acquired the property earlier this year, and are set to bring the property up to 30 bedrooms from 22 by October. He confirmed the group is not looking to buy any more properties this year.

Exclusive: Ian and Christa Taylor buy Homewood Park >>

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