One of the areas best known hotels has undergone a name-change and the first stage of an internal transformation which sees it hark back to its roots as a manor house, focusing on comfort and hospitality.

One hundred balloons bearing gift tags were released to celebrate the re-branding of the former Green Lawns Hotel in Falmouth which has now become the Merchants Manor, the new name paying homage to the building’s original use as a manor house.

The hotel is popular across West Cornwall for weddings and other events.

New owners Sioned Parry-Rudlin and her husband, Nick Rudlin, say the emphasis of the Merchants Manor will be attentiveness, comfort, relaxation and hospitality.

The couple have so far invested more than £100,000 on transforming the foyer, drawing room, library and brasserie and upgrading the hotel’s towels, linen and toiletries. The original oak floors have been exposed and restored.

The original Manor House was completed in 1913 and was home to the Carne family, who were merchants and also established the Carne Brewery which was operational in Falmouth until 1921.

The house was nick-named “Screwtop Mansion” because the Carnes created the first screwtop for beer bottles.

There has been a hotel on the site for the past 50 years and Sioned and Nick are keen to retain existing customers and attract new ones. “We want to bring it back to life,” said Sioned.

“It has a lot of lovely features. We want to make the restaurant a destination restaurant that locals will make use of as well.”

The hotel remained open while local contractors worked around the clock to ensure the first phase of the restoration was completed on time. The second phase, which will include a major overhaul of the bedrooms, will take place this winter.

Nick said: “We want to be an integral part of the local community. We used local contractors and they have done an outstanding job. There are many wonderful hotels in Cornwall and we know that we have to offer something extraordinary to meet the sky-high standards common around here.”

His wife added: “We have no time for the package holiday. Every one of our guests is individual to us and we will prepare them a unique and individual experience.”