Heythrop Park

Stopgap 1200 smoothing compound and F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive have led the way in refurbishing floors at Heythrop Park, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, following its acquisition by Warner Leisure Hotels, as part of a four-year, £40 million renovation.

The Brief

Flooring contractors were commissioned to install a range of floorcoverings throughout the site’s public areas, including in the 300-year-old, Grade II-listed manor house, which is set in a 440-acre country estate, as well as the adjoining hotel complex.

The project included work in the reception, two ground-floor theatres, bar, restaurant and lounge areas, as well as connecting staircases and corridors, in the modern part of the hotel.

How were the products used, and why?

Stopgap 1200 was used to raise subfloor levels so that LVT floorcoverings and inlaid carpet would sit perfectly flush with previously installed ceramic tiles, with areas divided by custom-made CAT brass edging strips. Stopgap Micro Rapid fast-setting, fast-drying floor finishing compound was used to address minor subfloor imperfections.

Stopgap 1200 was also used to create a perfectly smooth surface for grey loose-lay Forbo Coral carpet tiles in the entranceway of the reception, where heavy-duty made-to-measure Newhay grid entrance well matting was installed.

Behind the reception desk, Plusfloor concrete-effect luxury vinyl tiles were installed with Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive.

Contractors installed bespoke Brintons carpet in a small seating area on one side of the reception and in front of the entrances to the larger of the hotel’s two ground-floor theatres and Late Lounge Bar, as well as on the steps and accessibility ramp leading from the reception to the 120m² area, using a dual bond system. This involved using Styccobond F3 to create a permanent bond between carpet and underlay, with Styccobond F40 providing a peelable bond between the underlay and subfloor. This prevents floorcoverings moving laterally when subject to normal foot traffic but allows them to be easily lifted without damaging the subfloor when it eventually needs replacing.

In the theatre, where guests can enjoy live music, drama and comedy performances, flooring contractors used Stopgap 1200 to patch repair existing subfloors, including where stanchions had been removed, before installing custom-made dark black and blue Newhay carpet.

Bespoke Newhay carpet was also installed in the Late Lounge Theatre, which was also furnished with an Amtico wood-effect LVT dancefloor adhered with Styccobond F46. Styccobond F46 was used to install Harlequin Standfast high-performance vinyl sheet on both of the theatres’ stages.

Amtico Signature basketweave, wood-effect LVTs were installed in the Late Lounge Bar up to seating areas with bespoke Newhay carpet and ceramic tiles around the bar, as well as on the steps leading to the Late Lounge Theatre. A feature was created in the centre of the room with a large area of herringbone wood-effect LVTs and a border of Amtico Signature Cirrus Twilight grey planks.

Similarly, in the first floor ‘Pub and Kitchen’, Karndean ‘Van Gogh’ salvaged wood-effect LVTs were installed up to the bar area, where a border was created using Karndean ‘riven slate’ grey ‘Knight Tiles’, and areas with tables and chairs, where Alternative Flooring ‘Anywhere Rope’ natural carpet was installed. The LVTs were installed up to ceramic tiles around the bar and seating areas with bespoke Newhay carpet.

Plusfloor wood floorcoverings were installed on the main staircase leading from the reception to the first and second floors, extending onto the first floor landing and lounge area, using Styccobond B95. The one-part, flexible, moisture-curing adhesive is designed to accommodate the natural movement of wood over the lifetime of floorcoverings. It is solvent and isocyanate-free, quick to develop a high bond strength and provides good grab.

Where there were steps in the areas being renovated, including the main staircase, Stycco Flex rapid-curing, flexible tube adhesive was used to affix custom-made CAT brass stair nosings. The adhesive is known for being able to bond almost any absorbent or non-absorbent material found in the flooring and construction industries. The high strength build-up and fast curing time means it can secure stair nosings and trims in as little as 60 minutes, without the need for mechanical fixings.