The entrepreneurial Webb family, who own Moor Hall & Spa, are celebrating 60 years of ownership in 2021.
The prestigious country house hotel, located in the Sutton Coldfield suburb of Four Oaks, was bought by the family in 1961 and developed from a 17-bedroom complex into today’s multi award-winning establishment with 83 bedrooms, six conference rooms, two restaurants and a leisure centre and spa.
The current building was re-developed from a property originally constructed by the famous Ansells brewery dynasty in the early 1900s, although there has been a building on the site since at least the early 1300s.
Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, just a few miles north of Birmingham, is built on the site of the former home of 16th century Bishop John Vesey, who frequently entertained King Henry VIII which is why, it is thought, that Sutton Coldfield was awarded its royal charter.
Back then, Bishop Vesey – who is commemorated by a Civic Society blue plaque on the building – employed 140 scarlet liveried servants. Today, the four-star hotel, set in extensive parkland and approached via a stunning tree-lined avenue, operates with around 100 staff whose dedication and quality of care has established Moor Hall as one of the leading sought-after leisure venues within the region – much-loved by wedding couples who choose the backdrop of the hotel and the original stunning sunken garden for their never-to-be-forgotten wedding photographs.
Moor Hall remained in the family of Colonel Ansell until 1930 when the estate was auctioned off and the property was converted into a hotel.
During the last few months the hotel has undergone a refurbishment programme, while at the same time remained open during the last lockdown for business travellers. Now it is looking forward to fully reopening and welcoming back guests as guidelines allow.
Moor Hall chairman Michael Webb said: “We’ve been kept really busy brightening up corridors and conference rooms, investing into our bedrooms to maintain our usual high standards, updating electrics and changing many hundreds of light fittings to LED bulbs.
“Over the last few years we have introduced an environmental policy and a commitment to “green business” and pursued an on-going campaign to reduce our carbon footprint.
“We are dedicated to offering our guests the very best of facilities and combined with our high standards of professionalism and friendly service we plan to make every visit to Moor Hall a memorable one.
“Being a family-owned business it really helps us to react quickly to the requests of our guests and by reinvesting every year we are continually improving our services and standards.”
Although set in its own impressive gardens and isolated woodland, Moor Hall is far from being separated from the community. It maintains close links by supporting a local charity every year, works alongside a college to offer work experience to students with special educational needs and disabilities and partners tourist venues to attract leisure tourism to the area.
As part of its special 60s “welcome back” programme the hotel will stage events such as a 60s BBQ and disco in August, Breakfast at Tiffany’s in September and a Charity Ball in October.
