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UK: Three former senior managers from The Belfry golf hotel have teamed up to form The House Collection.
David Toulson-Burke, Ian Cross and Jonathan Baker are aiming to build a portfolio of high quality small hotels with a maximum of 45 bedrooms in each property.
Their first project is the 21-bedroom Poet’s House in Ely, Cambridgeshire, which will open in spring 2013. Formerly the offices of Sanctuary Hereward Housing Association, it is situated in three neighbouring early 20th century Grade II listed houses and will feature a 60-seat restaurant, a function room for 100 guests and a courtyard garden.
A second property in Cambridge is also being planned, with finance from Cambridgeshire company Eastern Counties Finance.
David Toulson-Burke, managing director of the House Collection and former general manager at the Belfry, said: “A great deal of care is being invested into every aspect of the design of Poet’s House. With the emphasis on style and attention to detail, we will offer our guests a very different experience to mainstream hotels. We are confident that the arrival of Poet’s House – along with future House Collection hotels – will be warmly welcomed by the local community and visitors to the region alike.”
