An historic hotel is celebrating the first phase of a £7million refurbishment. The charming Tudor-style property has completed work on its bar and dining areas, as well as its gardens.
Thatchers Bar & restaurant, which sits between Guildford and Leatherhead, now has a "stunning" gazebo and new garden furniture which have been added to its lawns and gardens, in time for summer dining and wedding season. Inside, the renovated area includes a large open plan bar area, with floor to ceiling windows, ornate chandeliers, warm wood panelling and luxurious seating.
After re-opening its doors, the hotel, in East Horsley, celebrated with a garden party, speaking at the event, FTG chief executive Suki Dulai said: “ Teams have been working hard since the beginning of the year on this project and we are excited to introduce the community to the newly refurbished Thatchers. This event was a big thank you to the community for their patience while we have carried out work. It was a perfect opportunity to take in what’s been happening behind the scenes and for the local community to discover the all new Thatchers!”
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In celebration of the reopening, and to commemorate 90 years since Thatcher's Old World Tea House first opened its doors in 1934, the hotel and bar invited locals along to enjoy a spot of Afternoon Tea, as well as themed canapés, Pimms, strawberries and cream, live music and garden games.
This marks the first stage of the redevelopment which also encompasses rooms in the hotel itself. Now work will begin on the site’s 87 bedrooms, as well as the four additional bedrooms that will be created. Around half of the rooms will stay open while refurbishment happens, with these stages of development scheduled to be completed in autumn 2024. Then the remaining bedrooms will undergo refurbishment work, with the whole project due to wrap up by summer 2025.
The restaurant is keeping up with the refurbishment by creating a new food offering for both guests and visitors. The brasserie will be serving up British classics, as well as excellent à la carte dishes and daily specials. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served from 6.30am to 9.30pm.
In July the restaurant began serving brunch and afternoon tea – featuring an array of beautiful handmade and quirky cakes, fine artisan teas and a matching Prosecco, Champagne and cocktail list.
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