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In the six years since we've been running courses in Melksham, we've gone from a feast to a famine in terms of the availability of local accommodation for delegates on our courses.   Between the training centre and the town, "Springfield", "The Town House" and "The Regency Hotel" have all permanently closed their doors to overnight guests.  That left just "The Old Manor" which we knew was up for sale, with a proposal to demolish and build 22 houses on the site, and "The Spa" B&B which is excellent but alas has few vacancies (I can't imagine why  )

As well as a change in availability, there's been a change in what our customers are looking for.  They require to pay by credit card, they require en suite facilities.  They're really looking for spacious bedrooms and good communications so that they can make the place "an office away from home" in the evenings.  Full English breakfasts, though nice for a day or two, get filling after a week, and rooms where customers can bring in and eat their own food in the evening, and can browse the internet, would be a definite plus.  And they need good car parking too.

We've bought "The Old Manor".   It's closed for refurbishment through to the Autumn (2006), when we'll be re-opening as Well House Manor.  The smaller rooms comverted into "en-suites" for the larger rooms. The public bathrooms incorporated into adjoining bedrooms to make them en-suite.  The owner's accommodation on the ground floor becoming lounge, library and customer dining room.  The parking and access outside being re-arranged to bring it up to modern standards.



We'll be offering all the facilities that I mentioned earlier, and included in our price.   The price will be the only thing that will be "average" ... the average price for a hotel room for a night in the UK (year to March 2006) was 79.16, but the difference with us is that all the facilities I mentioned will be included.

Link - Well House Manor web site

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