£8.85million Investment in Amazing Portfolio

Amazing Retreats, the exclusive hire specialists, has announced it will invest £8.85million into its conference, events and leisure product in 2011. The company, which offers a diverse range of iconic properties including castles, Abbeys and working watermills, offers twelve spectacular locations in the UK perfect for corporate events, product launches, strategy and away days, director retreats and incentive breaks. The properties are also popular for leisure breaks and family celebrations. The figure includes the purchase of properties in the portfolio, including the newly acquired Kinnettles near Dundee and Plas Rhianfa in Anglesey, as well as extensive venue renovations and refurbishments. Over three quarters of a million pounds of this will be ploughed into gardens and outdoor space, including developing marquee areas, planting and seating areas. Refurbishment of the properties in the collection includes the addition of eight catering kitchens and over 60 bedrooms as well as creating banqueting space at Morley Old Hall, Beau Castle, Ackergill Tower Plas Cilybebyll, Stanbrook Abbey and Tempsford Mill. Five swimming pools, six hot tubs and saunas, six gyms and spa facilities, two tennis courts and four games rooms will also be added over the course of 2011. The highest profile refurbishment is taking place at Spitbank Fort in the Solent, due to open later this year. The figures for 2011 are in addition to £30million invested during last year on purchases and development. Mike Clare, Founder and Executive Chairman of Amazing Retreats comments: “The multi-million pound investment underlines our commitment to all our guests, no matter what the purpose of their visit, by consistently developing and improving our product. As the leaders in exclusive hire of historic and unusual properties in the UK it is important for us to ensure the portfolio remains interesting and diverse for both business and leisure guests, as well as ensuring that our properties provide the high standards expected of an Amazing Retreat. As a result of this investment we expect 2011 to be a busy year for us, with new properties becoming available and new facilities opening at existing locations”.