Former country house Ramside Hall has been transformed into nothing less than a leisure and sporting jewel of the North East.

Now a four-star AA silver awarded hotel set in 350 acres of private grounds complete with two 18-hole championships golf courses, the Carrville, Durham destination is already well on the way to its target of 1,000 members for its latest innovation - the new purpose-built luxurious spa that opened there last August.

For the expansive fit out of its changing areas, managing directors of the family-run business John Adamson and sister Helen Roseberry sourced Craftsman Lockers to deliver the quality consistent with such a high-end facility, one featuring a 127-room four-star hotel replete with four poster rooms, deluxe doubles and suites.

"We sourced Craftsman at Leisure Industry Week," said general manager Anthony Woodhouse, "and could clearly see the quality."

Clear quality

In what proved a complex fit out on two levels, Craftsman installed more than 200 keyless digital customised clothes and holdall lockers for male and female changing rooms, family room and treatment suites, as well providing convenient security lockers near the fully equipped gym to store valuables including phones, jewellery and keys.

"We chose digital locking for several reasons," Woodhouse said. "There are no worries about lost keys or members personalising their locker - we can time the locks to open after a set period." Burgeoning popularity of the spa among women sparked a rethink mid-project as radiators were removed and underfloor electric heating fitted to create added changing space.

"We increased the size of the female changing rooms and redesigned the family area to more closely cater for our visitor profile," Woodhouse explained.

All the changing areas feature dramatic detailing of upholstered seating in cream leather to complements the rich walnut lockers.

"Craftsman accommodated the new specifications with no trouble at all," he added.

"They were highly amenable, typically when we had to install a manifold in the wall for one of the changing rooms so had to modify locker dimensions, then wanted bespoke wheel-mounted towel drops, which were delivered just 48 hours later. John Gibbs and team were always at the end of the phone to assist us."

The family room includes two changing cubicles, a dozen Maximizer clothes lockers and toilets, while sports bag lockers are also fitted in the changing rooms to cater for those who arrive already changed. Meanwhile, day spa guests using the treatment rooms upstairs have their own changing area fitted purely with clothes lockers.

"As a small family business, things happen quickly so the turnaround times that Craftsman delivered were perfect for us," Woodhouse added.

Formerly with De Vere Hotels, he has experienced many locker suppliers over the years but ranks Craftsman highly. "I thoroughly enjoyed working with the company and would certainly recommend them."

Surely nothing less would suffice at one of North East of England's most exciting and prestigious sport and leisure resorts.