New clubhouse becomes centrepiece of over 55s community

A formal ceremony officiated by James Arbuthnot, Conservative MP for North East Hampshire on October 1st, marked the occasion of the completion of the elegant Clubhouse at Bramshott Place Village in Liphook. Only five months after its Topping Out ceremony, the Clubhouse will soon become the vital heart of the new over 55s community.

The many guests invited to celebrate this important milestone in the creation of the scheme sipped champagne whilst they experienced a variety of the activities which will be on offer in the building: a delicious lunch in the restaurant; drinks in the bar; snooker in the games room; gym work-outs and swimming in the hydrotherapy pool; and even a concert on the grand piano and dancing in the meeting rooms!

James Arbuthnot was very impressed with the whole development and commented: “I love a good idea and this is one in action. This brilliant concept in retirement living provides a beautiful home with the facilities of a country club, allowing you to abandon the grind and worry of maintaining the family home. It is a great idea and has been expertly executed here at Bramshott Place Village.”

Bill Gair of Urban Renaissance Villages, joint developer with Helical Bar, said: “We are delighted to be marking the completion of the Clubhouse in all its splendour. It is the real heart of the development and completes the special character of Bramshott Place Village. We look forward to our residents making full use of it when all the many facilities are up and running between now and the Spring.”

He continued: “Our ethos is that the Clubhouse should be an extension of the residents’ homes and therefore a major part of their lives, which they can use as and when they wish but without any maintenance worries. It is therefore private and exclusive, not a commercial health club shared with the wider community, and will be used for a variety of clubs, societies and social events all organised by the residents themselves. For example, we will not be surprised if we find some budding landlords and landladys to run the bar and already we have competition for the post of Honorary Librarian! We have created similar successful villages around the country over the years, following this model, and we are confident that, with its extra facilities such as the hydrotherapy pool and gymnasium, Bramshott will be even better!”

Bramshott Place Village, like it predecessors, has been conceived specifically for the active over-55s; people wanting to downsize their domestic responsibilities without necessarily slowing down their pace of life or losing their independence. The whole ambience of the Clubhouse is of a very smart country club and the interiors, created by Interior Classics, perfectly reflect this.

Opening from the large, pillared entrance, the reception area has an air of smart hotel chic, elegant yet contemporary, and has been furnished in welcoming, soft neutral tones. Glazed doors lead into the cosy bar and the library. The former room has a warm, welcoming atmosphere created through mood lighting and copper, chocolate and lime tones in the furnishings and wallpaper. In contrast, the library has been furnished in an eclectic chic style, with calm soothing colours, and including comfortable chairs and a desk where residents can quietly write letters or surf the internet.

The central focus of the elegant Clubhouse, from which all other rooms emanate, is the winter garden, a large light-filled atrium decorated in dramatic wow factor colours, with sofas and chairs in luxurious soft furnishings of lush purple and lime green, for residents to meet, relax and socialise.

On the second floor, leading from the galleried landing, is a guest bedroom with ensuite bathroom, furnished in pale taupes and creams to provide a warm, relaxed soft haven for visitors, two meeting rooms and a TV and games room, complete with a full sized snooker table and card tables, in a fun playing-card themed decoration of dramatic reds and plums.

Ground floor facilities also include a 56-cover restaurant, which has been decorated in rich red shades, a shop, laundry facilities, on-site nurse and doctors’ surgery, and the office of the Village Manager. Residents will benefit from a call system and free internal village telephone exchange in all the properties linked directly to the Village Manager’s office.

Bill Gair concluded: “With the unveiling of the Clubhouse, phase one of Bramshott Place Village, and its real pulse, is now complete and the community spirit is becoming evident as more and more residents move in. It’s a way of living that has increasing appeal for independent, busy over 55s who like the idea of living among like-minded neighbours, with convenient facilities in a supportive, secure and maintained development. It offers them the freedom from daily chores to enjoy life to the full.”

Properties at Bramshott Place Village are selling well and anyone interested in buying into the development should act fast! Prices range from £295,000 to £325,000 for the apartments and from £435,000 to £499,000 for the cottages. Each property is sold with a 125-year lease and ample parking. Further information about the homes for sale at Bramshott Place Village is available from sole agents Clarke Gammon Weller, or by visiting bramshottplace.co.uk.