Brome Grange Hotel in Eye being refurbished after new owners take over and bring new vision to the table

Change is in the air for a hotel as its new owners seek to build upon a strong reputation, while enhancing what it offers to customers.

Brome Grange Hotel in Eye was taken over by INT Estates just over 12 months ago, with owner Paul Karras embarking on a large-scale renovation programme.

This has included repairing the heating and electrics and renovating the barn room so it can host weddings and functions.

“My wife says I’m mad, but I say give it time,” he said.

“I run a recruitment business and have previously bought hotels to house our workforce. When we got the Brome Grange Hotel, however, there was quite a lot of work that needed our attention.

“Once we had the basics fixed, I decided to make some improvements to other parts of the business.

“We want to try to run it as a traditional hotel, which can host local groups, functions and weddings, while integrating itself into the local community.

“The barn was phase one of the upgrades, next is the beds, carpets, TVs and internet, then we’ll make improvements to the bar and restaurant – and we hope to have everything done by the end of March.

“It’s all still open in the meantime, and we also have a social media and booking system overhaul going on, with a new website being created – but the hotel is remaining completely open throughout all this work so customers can still come and see how it’s all being improved.”

The hotel gym also remains open, while Mr Karras hopes to have a new spa in place by the end of March.

In the run-up to the work’s completion, he hopes to invite local businesses and group leaders along for a networking event.

“It’s been a journey for us, and we have invested quite a lot of money, but we are putting together some first-class facilities here and we are excited for people to see how it all looks once it’s complete,” he said.

“Them we can host regular groups and events, like quiz nights or evenings for the elderly, and really provide somewhere special for people to come.”