The first of a three phase scheme at Butlin’s Minehead has reached completion with the construction of 117 two, three and four bedroom chalets.
The 54 week project saw main contractors McGoff & Byrne work alongside Allison Pike architects, interior designers Fusion By Design and the Butlin’s operations and brand teams to form the brand-new West Lakes Chalet Village, set within the Butlin’s Minehead holiday resort.
The project involved the design and master planning of new accommodation, interior design and landscaping works, including the construction of two man-made lakes on resort. Initially a proportion of old accommodation was demolished to make way for the new village.
The project aims to support a 21st century Butlin’s experience, targeted at families searching for high-quality seaside accommodation in a spacious and peaceful setting, with the added benefit of the broad range of inclusive entertainment and activities available only a five- minute stroll away on resort.
Premier Hospitality caught up with Fusion by Design to find out more about the project. Fusion commented:
“We are very proud to be part of the regeneration of Butlin’s. It’s such an iconic British brand. We have provided a design scheme that celebrates the rich history and heritage of the Butlin’s brand, with an equally contemporary approach to modern family living.”
“We found it particularly interesting working with the client team (including their partnership with Mumsnet) to understand and embrace the authenticity of its brand and the needs of their guests. It was vital that we understood the heritage of Butlin’s and the original values its founder, Sir Billy Butlin, lived by to revolutionise British seaside holidays. It was his genuine true intent to delight that we wanted to reinterpret within our design.”
“We believe this insight has paid off and the design we have delivered pays attention to detail and shows respect to the original nostalgic chalets introduced in the early days of Butlin’s.”
The first phase of the project began in March 2014, after demolition, with principal contractors McGoff & Byrne beginning the construction works and was fully completed in April this year.
Dave McGoff, Mcgoff & Byrne’s Group Commercial Director, commented on the challenges of working on a live site:
“We had to make sure that whilst we were undertaking this multi-million pound investment the resort operations were not compromised to ensure that the guests staying at Butlin’s did not feel like they were in the middle of a building site.
“To achieve this we worked closely with the Butlin’s operation teams and handed the job over in phases.”
“Following significant capital developments made at their other two resorts in recent years, Butlin’s Minehead was due a game changing project to offer a completely new holiday experience. We hope to be involved with the following projects as the West Lakes development only covers 15% of their site.”
The 117 chalets constructed so far comprise of a mixture of ground and first floor properties along the lake side or with lake and park views, as well as varying bedrooms options. All of the structures are made of a timber frame and are finished with Marley eternit cedar cladding and an Icopal single ply membrane roof.
The chalets comprise of fitted and loose furniture all of which has been supplied by Curtis. The bedrooms contain luxurious kingsize beds complete with Butlin’s newly created branded mattresses and clever under-bed storage facilities.
A bespoke curtain fabric, created by Skopos, can be found in the bedrooms boasting branded yacht symbols, as do the quilts and cushions. Sanitary ware products have been supplied by Twyfords and the brassware has come from Alterna.
Quality products and materials can be found throughout the chalets provided by a range of companies including Elegant Clutter, Porcel Ceram, Showpiece Furniture, Wilton Carpets, Ashleigh Signs, Moduleo, Carters Flooring (Leisure) Ltd and Illumination.
Tristan Hutton of Tower 8 acted as the project manager of the scheme, with PSH acting as the mechanical and electrical consultant and Simpson’s Structural Engineers as the structural consultant.
Carters Flooring (Leisure) Ltd
With over 30 years’ experience, Carters Flooring (Leisure) Ltd specialise in the installation of specialist flooring for the leisure and hotel industry. The family run company prides itself in establishing long standing relationships with many high profile clients, including Warner Leisure, Butlins & Haven Holidays.
Working on the West Lakes Chalet Village project, Carters Flooring (Leisure) Ltd supplied and fitted Moduleo planking, bathroom vinyl and bedroom carpets.
Phil Carter of Carters Flooring (Leisure) Ltd, said:
“Our company trades on its reputation of always completing projects on time which is key within the leisure industry, coupled with high quality and competitive pricing. West Lakes Chalet Village was a major project for our clients and therefore very important to us.”
