Sopwell House unveils elegant refurbishments

Sopwell House, the elegant Georgian country house hotel in St Albans, has completed an extensive refurbishment programme, upgrading key guest and business areas to enhance its luxury offering.

Over the past year, the family-owned venue has invested significantly in modernising more than 40 bedrooms and suites, reimagining its reception area and refreshing popular public spaces including the Octagon Bar, The Brasserie and vibrant lounge areas.

The transformation also extends to its conference and events spaces, with a revamped reception, foyer and bar areas now offering a more seamless and stylish experience for delegates and event organisers.

Set within 12 acres of picturesque countryside and just 20 minutes from London, Sopwell House now combines contemporary comfort with traditional charm more than ever before. The hotel features 126 rooms and suites, including 16 luxurious Mews Suites accessed via private gates – ideal for guests seeking privacy and exclusivity.

For business guests, Sopwell House offers 15 versatile function rooms, four executive boardrooms and event space for up to 300 seated delegates, complete with vehicle access. Modern AV facilities, digital signage, dedicated event reception and beautifully landscaped gardens support a wide range of corporate events, from strategy sessions to product launches.

To mark the completion of its upgrades, Sopwell House is offering exclusive rates for Chamber members this summer. The 24-hour delegate rate in July and August is £349 per person (minimum 10 delegates), including meeting room hire, three refreshment breaks, working lunch, three-course dinner, overnight stay, breakfast and access to spa and leisure facilities. A Day Delegate Rate (DDR) of £70 per person (minimum 10) includes room hire, AV, refreshments, lunch, and wi-fi.

With stylish interiors, award-winning dining at Omboo and The Brasserie, and a luxurious spa experience at Cottonmill, Sopwell House is reaffirming its position as one of Hertfordshire’s most sought-after destinations for business and leisure.

A specialist business bank has announced the appointment of Stuart Davidson as its new Chief Commercial Officer, to further bolster the Bank’s savings and lending proposition for future growth.

Stuart, who joined Redwood in early 2018, just months after its launch, has more than 35 years of financial services experience. He spent two decades in senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group before holding roles across a number of challenger banks. At Redwood, he has held a series of key positions, most recently Directorof Products and Strategy.

His promotion to CCO reflects his pivotal role in shaping the Bank’s strategy and leading the customer and broker experience that supports the growth of the Bank’s SME customers. As CCO, Stuart will lead efforts to expand the Bank’s lending book and evolve its overall product proposition. Stuart assumes the role at a time when professional landlords are seeking surety from lenders to expand and diversify portfolios and business savers are navigating changes in interest rates.