7 Dec 2023

The owner of an acclaimed new Cotswolds hotel has showered building services company - Campbell West with praise for its role in transforming the former 16th-century coaching house.

Matthew Freud, one of the public relations industry’s pioneering figures, paid tribute to the Berkshire-based firm for “outstanding professionalism” following the opening of ‘Bull - A Coaching Inn’ in Burford, Oxfordshire.

transforming the property

He enlisted their services after setting about transforming the landmark property into a luxury boutique hotel when The Bull Hotel and neighboring former high street post office came up for sale in 2020.

Matthew Freud, Chairman of Freud's Group, who also lives in Burford, said, “When Bull opened in 1536, it was a coaching inn for tired horses to recover and prepare for the next long ride."

extraordinary experience

The new Bull aspires to offer the same service to anyone on a journey who might need a moment"

Matthew Freud adds, “The new Bull aspires to offer the same service to anyone on a journey who might need a moment to catch their breath. We have worked hard to provide guests with an extraordinary experience and the response we’ve had to date has been heart-warming."

Exceptional outcome

Matthew Freud continues, “There is so much behind the scenes that has to be right to ensure our guests get the best experience. Contractors like the Campbell West team are a key part of making this happen. On every occasion, the medieval building threw a proverbial gauntlet their way they picked it up and rose to the challenge. They have worked smartly and diligently with my team and the outcome has been exceptional.”

widespread praise

Since opening, Bull has won widespread praise from visiting media with Times journalist Simon Mills hailing a ‘gorgeously appointed, jet-set bucolic, boutique hostelry with 18 beautiful rooms and Waystar Royco-grade suites’ after its opening, in his September 2023 review.

The ‘Waystar Royco’ nod to hit Sky TV series ‘Succession’ was especially pleasing to directors Steven Campbell and Daniel West after an extensive range of work complicated by the Bull’s status as a Grade II listed building by Historic England.

New installations

The former apprentice plumbers led the Campbell West team as it set about installing new bathrooms

The former apprentice plumbers led the Campbell West team as it set about installing new bathrooms at the hotel, stripping out and re-piping the whole complex, installing three plant rooms, and introducing a new sanitation system.

Steven Campbell, Director at Campbell West, said, “Bull’s listed building status meant we were duty-bound to protect a small, but perfectly formed part of English heritage."

Addressing logistical and practical issues

Steven Campbell adds, “The grand old building also posed the team with lots of logistical and practical issues which required the utmost attention to detail."

He continues, “Bull is a genuinely magical retreat and we’re proud to have played our part in helping Matthew and his team create a country hotel with a real difference.”

building services

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) specialists at Campbell West work with clients in both commercial and residential sectors, with customers including NHS Trusts, local government, and education settings. 

A new electrical arm of the business was launched in spring 2023 in response to client demand for an integrated approach to building services work. Campbell West was founded in 2017 by directors Steven Campbell and Daniel West, who met while working together as apprentices.