The newly refurbished bar in Penrith’s George Hotel opened for business last weekend.
A launch event was held for local businesses. The specially arranged evening gave people first chance to see the contemporary new look of the bar and to come up with ideas for a new name.
The old “Oak Bar” was completely stripped and transformed into a light bright and welcoming space. A full team of local trades people undertook the challenge and gave the bar an exceptionally high quality finish for local people to enjoy. The furnishings are comfortable yet modern with burgundy and lime chairs, cosy sofas and ‘gold leaf’ shades and lamps creating a much more welcoming ambience.
Guests at last week’s event were treated to Bellini cocktails, champagne and tapas canapés – to introduce the new menus which now include tapas and cocktails.
The verdict from everyone was unanimous – ‘a fantastic new look, up to date, welcoming and exactly right for Penrith’. Regulars commented that it was nice to see the place buzzing, describing the transformation as “absolutely brilliant”.
Justin Wales, General Manager at the George Hotel said “It was good to have so many local businesses supporting the event. For example, John and Sandra Siddle brought their team from the Sands Gift Shop and helped create a real party atmosphere and the team from Dodd & Co put our cocktail menu through its paces – we look forward to welcoming them back now they know what we have to offer. The bar is certainly attracting a new audience and we are pleased to see a really good age mix coming in to see how things have changed.”
Now open all day from 11am, the new look has enticed new customers and introducing a tapas menu has encouraged more people to try something different. Justin said “the bruchetta with goat’s cheese became an instant success, beating some of our best selling bar meals in the first week. Customers are also trying the new cocktail menu, trying the full range that we have on offer – including our non alcoholic cocktails.”
As part of the opening activity and to attract new people to this Penrith hotels bar, Justin has been running a competition in the Herald to re-name the bar. So far, over 100 different names have been put forward, but the favourites remain a closely guarded secret until entries close this weekend (24th July). The winner will be announced next week.
Anyone who has not yet seen the new bar should call in and take a fresh look. For information about parties and events at the George Hotel, part of the Lake District Hotels Ltd group, or to find out more about “the bar with no name”, contact the George Hotel on 01768 862696 or email georgehotel@lakedistricthotels.net or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/georgehotel/index.php.
A new online gift retailer, Flamingo Gifts, was launched yesterday.
Operating from beautiful Kendal in Cumbria, Flamingo Gifts is an online shop stocking everything gift related. Unique and novelty gifts are what set Flamingo Gifts apart from the rest with items sourced worldwide. Having been 2 years in development, Flamingo Gifts are now ready to take the gift industry by storm after thoroughly investigating the market. Through being an online retailer, they are able to stock a huge range of goods. Their ecommerce website is easy to use and even enables customers to get gift ideas in the form of the Flamingo Gifts Randomizer function.
The brainchild behind Flamingo Gifts, Laura Carradice explains their concept “Our mission is simple, to provide amazing gifts to you at a great price and quickly, we are always on the lookout for new and interesting novelty gifts, birthday gifts and totally unique gifts to add to our Aladdin’s cave of treasures. We search everywhere to find the best gifts for the best budget! Whoever you’re looking to spoil, or for whatever occasion may it be Birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, Valentines Gifts or Christening gifts. We are sure you’ll find something you love! ”
According to the Giftware Association, the gift industry is worth an estimated £10 billion per year. This is made up of various sectors such as traditional gifts, design led gifts and cards and gift wrap. Something out of the ordinary, something with just that little bit more thought is becoming increasingly more difficult to find. The days of large, expensive gifts have had their day. A smaller quirky, original and unique item carries far more sentiment.
Flamingo Gifts stock gifts for men, women, babies and children, for the home and personalised gifts and cards all with the emphasis on “unique”. To browse their stock and solve all your gift problems, visit http://www.flamingogifts.co.uk.
With packages tailor-made for both ‘him and her’, the Brooklands Hotel in Surrey is the perfect remedy for mind, body and soul.
If fast cars and fabulous spas are your passion, then why not check in to the Brooklands Hotel in Surrey. Situated on the site of the legendary racetrack and airfield, the hotel features a selection of simply stunning packages bound to satiate the most demanding spa divas and the most passionate petrol heads – perfect with the British Grand Prix fast approaching in early July.
If thoughts of indulgence and utter relaxation make you and your partner purr with pleasure, then the Fast and Fabulous Spa Experience is the package for you. You will be treated to two sumptuous spa treatments each, choosing from the signature Jane Scrivner High Velocity Massage, to the Body Brushing treatment or even the Butter LONDON 30 minute Manicure, you can be sure you’ll both be left quintessentially pampered!
Alternatively if your partner’s more of a thrill-seeker than a pleasure-seeker, and would prefer to race round one of the UK’s most famous tracks, rather than succumb to spa treatments, then the His and Hers Spa & Car Experience is bound to keep you both happy. As you enjoy a relaxing Full Body Massage in the hotel’s destination spa, your partner will be having the time of his life negotiating hair-pin bends and high-speed manoeuvres with an exhilarating 30 minute driving experience at Mercedes-Benz World.
The unique, design-led Brooklands Hotel opened its doors this March on the site of the iconic Brooklands race track. Brooklands Hotel brings a sensational property to the market. The much anticipated opening offers the ultimate combination of contemporary design with a vibrant history. Predominantly glass, this super style-statement of a property has been designed for luxury, while embracing the rich legacy of the Brooklands race circuit. Complete with a destination spa, cocktail bar, restaurant, and state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, the 120 luxury rooms and suites offer unrivalled luxury within this area of Surrey. Priding itself on personality, individuality, and an unparalleled level of uniqueness – where else will you find a spa on a race track, with luxurious suites only thirty minutes away from central London?
The ‘Fast and Fabulous Package’ rate is based on two people sharing a standard room (single occupancy in a double bedded room is £179.00 per room, per night). Spa treatments times are subject to availability and should be booked at your earliest opportunity prior to your stay to avoid disappointment. For more information on the newest of the Surrey spa hotels visit http://www.brooklandshotelsurrey.com.
Birmingham retailer Cloggs has picked up the prize for Best New Store at the Drapers Footwear Awards.
The 2000 sq ft Cloggs.co.uk store next to Selfridges in the Bullring opened in September 2009 and features touch screen internet terminals, which can display the full range of available stock.
The store fought off competition from fellow category contenders The Natural Shoe Store in London, Gerry McGuire’s in Ireland, Lily T in Buckinghamshire, Shoefair in Northern Ireland and SoleLution in Bristol.
Cloggs.co.uk is run by local brothers Nick and Chris Thomas, with business partner Damian Scarlett. It began life as an online retailer ten years ago and now stocks more than 20,000 items, including big brands such as FitFlop, Birkenstock, Converse and Crocs.
Nick Thomas, managing director of Cloggs.co.uk, said it was an honour to win the award.
“We’re ecstatic that the Bullring store has won this coveted award,” he said.
“The Drapers Footwear Awards are the most prestigious for our industry so winning the Best New Store category really means a lot to us.
“The last 12 months have been tough for a lot of companies in the footwear market but there has been substantial consolidation in the sector, which has helped to lift sales, particularly for specialists like us.
“We have deliberately made our store different by incorporating many of the features of our online shop, such as free next day delivery and all the same deals and discounts.
“Our focus is going to remain on providing a full selection of seasonal footwear supported by great customer service and competitive prices.”
The Drapers Footwear Awards, organised by weekly fashion trade magazine Drapers Record, recognise the best of the high street and independent footwear retailers across the country, as well as up and coming design talent. This year’s winners included Ugg, River Island and The Golden Boot, with the Lifetime Achievement Award going to iconic shoe designer Terry De Havilland.
The Lake District Hotels Limited group of six family owned and run hotels are pleased to announce the launch of their new website.
Lake District Hotels Ltd have been at the forefront in terms of web presence in the Cumbria and Lake District tourism industry for a number of years so a redesign encompassing a new online booking system are both natural progressions for the group.
A hotel’s online booking system is one of the most important components of a website and none more so for Lake District Hotels Ltd group of 6 hotels. Not only has the website been updated and redesigned but a new online booking system has also been included. Rezlynx provides more functionality for independent hotels and hotel groups and is based around a single, centrally hosted database, accessed via the internet. The comprehensive solution includes a Property Management System, Conference & Banqueting, Central Reservations as well as an online booking module.
2010 has proved to be a busy and very rewarding year for Lake District Hotels Ltd group so far. April saw the group gain 4 star success for their Lodore Falls Hotel. Kit Graves, Director said “It has always been part of our plan to have a four star hotel in our portfolio….. we can now play host to most Lake District visitors – from those looking for an informal coaching inn to guests seeking a top class hotel with spa facilities.
To further confirm the continuing development of the group, the Lodore Falls Hotel also gained the Accreditation in Meetings (AIM) certificate from the Meetings Industry Association and Cumbria Tourism in May.
The Lake District Hotels Ltd group comprises 6 hotels in the Lake District and Cumbria. The 60 bedrooms Lodore Falls Hotel on the edge of Derwentwater, the 47 room Inn on the Lake on the edge of Ullswater, the 36 room Borrowdale Hotel in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley, The Skiddaw and The Kings Arms both in the centre of Keswick and finally The George Hotel, guarding the entrance to the North Lakes in the market town on Penrith.
Further information regarding rooms, locations including thier Keswick hotels and all the facilities available from Lake District Hotels Ltd can be found by visiting their website http://www.lakedistricthotels.net.
MailSave+ Optimisation Event is a complimentary, invitation-only event taking place at a Village Hotel near you.
You simply can’t afford to miss this if you want to get the most out of mail and postal optimisation.
What is MailSave+?
In today’s deregulated postal market all dispatch and facilities managers must look for the most cost-effective way to send out business critical documents. MailSave+ is a new and unique service that gives you the choice of postal provider and discounts when you send your mail.
Who’s it for?
Small to medium sized businesses and public sector bodies whose mail volumes do not meet the traditional pre-sorted or Cleanmail volume criteria.
Postrooms who want a cost effective service for non time critical traditional second class mail.
What are the benefits to you – the customer?
• Reduced cost per item on every item
• Lower volume thresholds attract discount on every item
• Volumes can be averaged to meet collection minimums
• Collections times that are convenient for you
• A cost-effective and flexible way of achieving daily mail discounts
The Mailing Room is a leading supplier of mailroom equipment and consumables including franking machines, postal scales, folding and inserting machines and letter openers. The Mailing Room is brought to you by an alliance of FP Mailing (North West) Limited, FP Mailing (South) Limited and FP Executive Agency Limited.
For more information on MailSave+ from The Mailing Room, visit http://www.themailingroom.com
One of the finest Caravan sites in Devon, Stowford Farm Meadows are pleased to announce the completion of their recently developed caravan sales centre.
The continuing development of the whole Stowford Farm Meadows site has made staff and owner Andrew Noall very proud of their family owned and run caravan and camping park.
The site having been in the family for generations and as a touring park since 1978.
The redevelopment of the caravan sale centre has been a result of the growth in the caravan sales side of this award winning touring caravan and camping facility in North Devon. Stowford supply new Elddis caravans and Bailey caravans and always have a large stock of quality used touring caravans for sale. Being one of the South West’s largest caravan retailers, Stowford are also able to showcase an awning display area and a caravan accessory shop, all on site to browse at leisure.
Anybody purchasing a caravan from them are invited to stay onsite at Stowford Farm Meadows, as their guest, for a number of nights. On arrival, the new caravan will be found sited on a pitch ready to simply walk into. This sets Stowford Farm Meadows apart from the rest in terms of caravan sales and pitches. Coupled with the onsite facilities found at the campsite, it is no wonder Stowford are multi industry award winners.
For more information on Elddis and Bailey caravans or to find out more about the Stowford Farm Meadows summer special weekend taking place Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June 2010, visit http://www.stowford.co.uk/caravan_sales or telephone 01271 889339.
The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) has launched a new Peace of Mind Pack for members to make buying easier and less stressful for homeowners.
“The Pack features Nick Ross (former BBC Watchdog and Crimewatch presenter) on the cover saying: ‘If you’re thinking of buying double-glazing or a conservatory I strongly recommend you use a DGCOS member.’ It also makes selling easier and less stressful for installers,” comments DGCOS Founder Tony Pickup.
“Buying windows, doors or a conservatory is a big investment,” Tony continues. “Although most window and conservatory companies do an excellent job homeowners are anxious when they see or hear about homeowners being ripped off by rogue traders and cowboys. Companies can go out of business. Deposits or guarantees may be at risk. Homeowners worry about the quality of work. A good reputation is vital, but uncertainties in the minds of purchasers can lose or delay an order. Because the Ombudsman Scheme vets members thoroughly, and is the only scheme to comprehensively address these concerns, it gives reassurance so homeowners can buy with confidence.”
The Pack, which is personalised for each individual member, contains details of the double glazing Ombudsman Scheme and what homeowners will receive when they buy from members. This includes an advice line, deposit protection insurance, an insurance-backed guarantee, a totally free dispute resolution service and a Compensation Fund to protect homeowners if anything goes wrong.
Tony Pickup sums up: “The Peace of Mind Pack invites homeowners to verify current membership by visiting http://www.dgcos.org.uk or calling 0845 053 2934. It states clearly that placing their order with the member gives real consumer protection unmatched in the double glazing industry.”
Windermere Marina Village officially re-opens in July in time for the start of the school summer holidays – following a £3 million improvements programme.
The Marina – the biggest on England’s longest lake – welcomes over 11,000 guests every year to Bowness.
Bookings for the vital summer tourism season are growing steadily again and there are hopes the grand re-opening will help boost the resort’s tourism.
On Saturday July 10th, the Marina will formally unveil the fruits of its eight-month-long refurbishment; the most comprehensive since it was built and opened in 1984.
Dozens of dignitaries, guests and boat owners will meet for a champagne reception with Managing Director Jason Dearden. They will be given an exclusive chance to go out for a leisure cruise on the lake onboard a state-of-the-art 46ft motor yacht – the F46 Flybridge. The luxury yacht is being toured around Marinas across the country by its owners Sealine, but Windermere Marina Village is its only stop in the whole of the North for boat owners to catch a glimpse.
They will also be shown around the Marina’s 29 self-catering cottages and 35 luxury Windermere apartments surrounding the water’s edge which have all been totally transformed to four-and-five star standards with new flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, carpets, bedroom furniture, bedding as well as painting and decoration.
Windermere mayor Bill Smith will open the event following a visit earlier in the week from Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron.
The Marina on a sheltered inlet of the lake, has been a hive of activity for the last six month as it works to re-open for business.
Holidaymakers rely on the Marina to let out its cottages and apartments to stay in the area. As the biggest inland Marina in the north, many guests use local restaurants, pubs, cinemas, shops, cafes, visitor attractions, museums, boat yards, newsagents and garages – making the Marina a significant contributor to the economy of Bowness and Windermere.
On the Marina itself, there has been extensive work to totally modernise and replace the jetties which allow access to the boats.
Over 400 boat owners use the Marina as a vital place on Lake Windermere to secure and moor their luxury fleet of motor or sail powered cruisers, when they’re not out cruising on the water.
Many of the boat owners are people who live in the Lake District and Cumbria and enjoy sailing, but others come from as far afield as Manchester, Cheshire, Newcastle and Glasgow.
It is the first completed phase of a much wider package of investment at the Marina which will eventually see new reception areas, a brand-new restaurant, swimming pool and new offices for the company’s 55 staff.
The business is also greener than before after upgrading its roof and wall insulation and making the lay-outs more contemporary and holiday-friendly.
Where possible, the company has spread the benefit of the upgrade by using local businesses such as decorators, skip companies and kitchen refurbishers. One business to benefit from the refurb includes Windermere-based Lakeland Fells Furniture Limited, which designs and restores custom-made furniture.
Jason Dearden, Managing Director of Windermere Marina Village, said: “I would like to thank our staff, visitors and boat owners for the patience they have shown over the last few months. I would like to reassure them that Windermere Marina Village is now back in action and open for business this summer.”
“I am delighted we have all worked hard to meet our deadline because the following few months are the most important of the tourism year. Windermere Marina Village re-opening is good news for us, good news for our guests, and good news for the wider Bowness economy.”
Other businesses which helped in the improvements include Lakeland Gardeners who worked on landscapes; Home Designs in Kendal supplying beds; Webbs Kitchens in Kendal; Kendal Refrigeration Services for air conditioning; Barrow-based Optech Fibres; Sedbergh’s Marthwaite Joinery; South Lakes Painting and Decorating, and Kendal’s Highgate Carpets for the flooring in bathrooms and kitchens.
Ends
For more information, please contact Jason Dearden, or Tracii Monet at Windermere Marina Village on 015394 46551, or email tracii.monet@wmv.co.uk
Windermere Marina Village is the Lake District’s premier Inland Marina and Holiday Resort. Find out more at www.wmv.co.uk
Windermere Marina Village, The Marina, Bowness On Windermere
Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3JQ, 015394 46551, info@wmv.co.uk
Barking Mad, the home from home pet sitting service, is proud to be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.
They can’t quite believe it but its true – Barking Mad are 10 years old and have successfully provided over 62,000 dog holidays. The Barking Mad family is now some 20,000 strong and growing by the day.
Celebrating a decade of Barking Mad Success at the Barking Mad Conference recently the network from around the UK set tails wagging in the Lake District with a conference packed full of fun (and a few celebratory drinks). Their Chief Executive, Bronte (nearly 11 and the inspiration for the original business) was joined by her spotty trainee Lotti, as they posed for the photo on the banks of Lake Windermere. The theme this year was Wacky Races and it certainly brought out the creative, fun and passionate sides of everyone. The Barking Mad conferences are always a bit crazy and 2010 was no exception and congratulations to Russell & Cate Court, of Oxfordshire who won Barking Mad Franchisee Business of the Year 2010.
Barking Mad was created in May 2000 with an aim to provide a new kind of pet-sitting service, and have now expanded across the UK and overseas. It has been an amazing success and has even featured on TV. Right from the start, Lee Southern the Managing Director knew it was a great idea, “Because we’ve all been there. If you have dogs, and you just can’t leave them in boarding kennels or impose on your family or friends once again, what do you do?”.
And so, Barking Mad was set up. A home-from-home pet care service: pet sitting with a difference, or dog holidays as people call them. Based on owner-operated franchises around the country, Barking Mad arrange for dogs to stay with loving host families who can match the sort of environment and routine the dogs are used to.
To learn more about using their home-from-home pet sitting service as an alternative to kennels, to find out about becoming one of our host families offering dog holidays – or even to discover how you could soon be running a Barking Mad franchise yourself – visit http://www.barkingmad.uk.com.
Gilpin Lodge hotel in Windermere are delighted to be the winner of this year’s Small Hotel of the Year 2010 at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence.
Gilpin Lodge have been announced The Small Hotel of the Year 2010 winner at The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010 ceremony organized by VisitEngland and held in Brighton on Friday night. The finalists were selected by a panel of tourism industry judges which included previous Gold winners, travel journalists and industry experts.
Barney and Zoe Cunliffe were delighted to receive the award on behalf of the Cunliffe family, and longstanding team whom have been running this Lake District, Relais and Chateaux hotel, since 1987. Having won Cumbria Hotel of the year in 2009 and Northwest hotel of the year in 2010, Gilpin was shortlisted with 2 other England based hotels for the award. Gilpin were judged on their excellent standards of hospitality, which combines family-run hospitality with relaxed but professional service, contemporary designs in a stunning location 2 miles from Windermere.
Gilpin Lodge Hotel Windermere has undergone considerable investment over the last few years with all areas having undergone exciting new interiors whilst remaining warm and comfortable and includes 6 garden suites, each with private gardens and hot tubs. Whilst the family remains fully owner-operated, Tom Lewis joined as General Manager in 2010 and was formally General Manager of the Le Manoir. The announcement also coincides with the immanent launch of the Gilpin Lake House, a 6-suite hotel with Spa set on a beautiful private lake in 100 acres of grounds and woodland within half mile of Gilpin and designed for the ultimate relaxing retreat.
Based on 2 sharing, rates are per person per night including 5-course dinner, full English breakfast and Windermere hotel accommodation from £145. For further information visit http://www.gilpinlodge.co.uk or call 015394 88818.
The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010 celebrate the best of English tourism. They promote healthy industry competition and high standards, helping to ensure England’s place as a world-class destination. http://www.enjoyengland.com/corporate/corporate-information/excellence-awards/2010-awards.aspx and sponsored by the Caravan club.
Want to watch Will Young from the comfort of your roll-top bath? See Scouting for Girls and Escala whilst lounging in the hot tub of one of the UK’s most glamorous spa terraces? All possibilities care of the Brooklands Hotel Weybridge this July!
For 2010 the Mercedes-Benz World Summer Concert Series will include two special outdoor evenings with exclusive live performances featuring rock, pop and classical artists. The two day Summer Concert Series kicks off on Saturday 3rd July with Will Young, The Saturdays, Scouting for Girls, Alexandra Burke and X-Factor finalist Olly Murs, Day two sees an eclectic mix of classical music with performances from Russell Watson, recent Popstar to Operastar winner Darius, Myleene Klass, Blake, Escala Faryl Smith and Camilla Kerslake. Headlining Saturday’s line up is award-winning multi-platinum selling artist Will Young who began his career as winner of the now global phenomenon ‘Pop Idol’. Russell Watson, who with his unique style has achieved phenomenal status as an award-winning platinum selling artist, will be headlining Sunday’s Classical evening line up.
Hospitality packages will be available in their Panoramic Suites, complete with vast decked Balconies with space for up to 30 friends or colleagues, with full view of the concert in all its Glory!
The Brooklands Hotel is offering also overnight accommodation from £137.50 per person during the Mercedes-Benz World Summer Concert (weekend of Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July 2010).
The Brooklands Hotel Surrey is located right next door to Mercedes-Benz World and with an iconic, art deco inspired interior, the world’s most historic motor racing track running through the reception, uber-contemporary conference facilities, top class Italian brasserie, spa facilities and super suites. The new Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey has to be seen to be believed.
Please contact Reservations on reservations@brooklandshotelsurrey.com or 01932 335 710 for availability and prices or visit http://www.brooklandshotelsurrey.com. Tickets for the concert are priced from £40.00 and are available from Ticketmaster online or by calling 0844 463 1875.
The Lodore Falls Hotel in Borrowdale valley is celebrating a second hospitality achievement this month.
Earlier this month The Lodore Falls Hotel was elevated to AA four star status and to top it off, they have now been awarded the Accreditation in Meetings (AIM) certificate from the Meetings Industry Association and Cumbria Tourism.
The team at the hotel has been working towards AIM accreditation for some time and was officially accredited after an inspection visit last week. AIM is the nationally recognized quality assurance scheme which is designed to improve standards in corporate hospitality. It is endorsed by VisitEngland and VisitBritain who recognize the importance of quality meeting venues and they believe “this is the standard venues should aspire to achieve.”
Tanya Sentance, Sales Manager said “it was Stephen Carruthers from the Cumbria and Carlisle Conference Group who suggested we work towards this standard. We are now one of only 15 venues in Cumbria to have achieved this accreditation – it demonstrates that we are serious about corporate hospitality. As it is a nationally recognized accreditation, businesses can be sure they will receive the very best attention when booking meetings or conferences and we hope will open doors to companies that will only use AIM accredited venues.
Companies from all over the UK enjoy mixing business with pleasure when they stay here – nationally recognised conference facilities and the best of the Lake District right outside the door. Let’s hope this accreditation will entice more national companies to bring their business to the lakes.
Cath Dutton, Industry Services Director, Cumbria Tourism “We are committed to further developing Cumbria’s business tourism product, and so have launched AIM Cumbria in partnership with the Meetings Industry Association, in conjunction with a new business support and marketing package. The package will enable venues to improve the quality of service and practices offered, as well as increasing the business opportunities available to them. Lodore Falls are to be congratulated for recognising that buyers want assurances when booking meetings and conferences and that AIM Cumbria provides them.”
The Lodore Falls Hotel Lake District part of the Lake District Hotels Ltd group is set in 40 acres of grounds which includes lakeshore and landscaped gardens and the Lodore Falls waterfall. There are five conference rooms for up to 170 (or 200) delegates – all with natural lighting and up to date equipment. What makes the venue even more appealing is the access to numerous activities on the door from rock climbing, abseiling and canoeing to private picnics and trips on the launch. With 69 bedrooms and a relaxing leisure suite and beauty spa, there’s plenty to hold your attention for days.
Anyone interested in finding out more about conferences and meetings at the Lodore Falls Hotel Keswick should contact Tanya Sentance on 017687 77285 or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net
Situated in an exquisite position overlooking Lake Windermere, the Hillthwaite House Hotel offers luxury accommodation whilst being family owned and run.
Hillthwaite House Hotel understands how important the internet is and how it continues to grow in its importance within the travel and tourism industry. The hotel’s newly designed website, http://www.hillthwaite.com launched yesterday was commissioned to keep them up to date within the industry.
The new, fresh look website has coincided with the recent refurbishment of the lounge in this Windermere hotel, entrance hall and four bedrooms at Hillthwaite House Hotel. The lounge has been fully decorated and refurbished throughout including new carpet, furniture and sparkling chandelier. The entrance hall has also been redecorated to complement the lounge and four of guest bedrooms have had brand new en suite bathrooms installed. The new images of the refurbished rooms are shown off to their best potential within the new design and if a new website and major refurbishment wasn’t enough, a new streamlined online booking system provided by Guestlink has been incorporated making it even easier for guests and visitors to check real time availability and make bookings.
Purchased in 1971 by the present owners John and Marjorie Sodeau, the house was then called Hoggs Hill Close and was a six bedroom private residence from which a small private hotel in Windermere was born. The house was very different then, with a stable block in the area to the rear of the building and a tennis court at the front.
In 1980 the swimming pool extension was added and an additional 18 bedrooms were created. Additional bedrooms were added and the dining room extended in 1995, a plaque can be found on the wall below the terrace. The house next door, 6 Thornhill, was purchased and a new gravel track added in front of the hotel to provide access and a further 6 bedrooms were created. In 2008 these rooms were refurbished and we now have 4 bedrooms in the lodge/annex, with 2 having sitting rooms with lovely lake and mountain views.
For more information on the Hillthwaite House Hotel in Windermere visit http://www.hillthwaite.com or telephone 015394 43636.
Portable Building Sales recently won a contract to supply two modular buildings to the Coventry Primary Care Trust.
The first modular building we installed as a temporary walk in centre, was a used 6 bay modular building.
Prior to arrival on site, jackpad foundations were used to erect the building instead of traditional concrete foundations.
Portable Building Sales have agreed to purchase the building back after the Primary Care Trust no longer have a use for the building and in addition will also purchase the jackpad foundations leaving a clear and clean car park area once again.
The Portable Building Sales “buy back” scheme ensures that the building is removed safely, professionally and to the current Health & Safety and CDM regulations. They ensure that the Primary Care Trust has no disposal problems and receives payment for the building before it is removed.
Portable Building Sales Ltd is one of the few companies in the UK to provide this type of service.
The used steel framed modular building that was supplied consists of six plastic coated steel modules which have white Upvc double glazed windows. The building also has a plasterboard lined ceiling and walls and a double thickness plywood floor.
This used modular building was decorated internally, cleaned externally and reinstated electrically to the latest regulations.
This temporary modular walk in centre building complies with the current Part L2A 2006 building regulations and is extremely environmentally friendly as it only uses 3% of the energy required to manufacture an equivalent new modular building. This is because the embodied energy is transportable and therefore can be relocated to a new site.
Also there are significant cost savings to the client and in this instance the tax payer as well, as this building was approximately a third of the cost of an equivalent new manufactured modular building.
Portable Building Sales completed the installation of this building within four weeks from the date of order and to the client’s complete satisfaction.
Even though the modular buildings pre-owned, Portable Building Sales still provide a 12 months guarantee with the building.
Portable Building Sales provided the Coventry Primary Care Trust with complete peace of mind throughout the process of attending meetings, submission of our Health & Safety plans, supply and installation of the used modular building, arrangement of the crane, to even organising the transportation and temporary traffic management to enable the building to be off loaded from a road adjacent to the site.
For more information please visit http://www.portablebuildingsales.co.uk or telephone 01482 656590
The biggest marina on Windermere is calling for the 10mph speed limit on England’s longest lake to be lifted in the week of its fifth anniversary.
This week, marks five years since a 10mph restriction was brought in – banning water-skiing, jet-skiing and power boating on the 10.5 mile long lake. Windermere was the only lake left in the whole of the Lake District where power-boating and water-skiing could take place.
Jason Dearden, Managing Director, runs Windermere Marina Village on the edge of the lake near Bowness, which is home to over 400 boat owners and draws visitors from the North West, North East and Cumbria, as well as around 11,000 visitors a year staying at its lakeside cottages and apartments. It is the biggest and most sheltered Marina on Windermere, and the largest in the whole of the North.
He believes a relaxation of the 2005 ban or a commitment to rethink it by the Lake District National Park Authority this year, would be a welcome gesture to tourism around the Lake following the floods, as well as assisting in the area’s economic recovery. He also thinks that representations should be made to review the 10mph byelaw if there’s a change of Government after the general election.
One of the major reasons the ban was brought in was to reduce “conflict” between different types of people using the lake and make the lake more tranquil. Mr Dearden believes Windermere is large enough to have a scheme which allows room for all types of waterborne activities – sailors, power-boaters, canoers and water-skiers – sharing the water harmoniously.
Windermere Marina Village, a family-owned tourism business, is close to completing a £3 million upgrade of the Marina and taking bookings again for the new tourism season. Following the floods of last year, the water level of the lake rose 10 feet – swamping the Marina’s 29 ground level Windermere cottages meaning holiday cancellations.
The Marina employs around 55 people and its 11,000 annual guests use local restaurants, shops, cafes and visitor attractions, making it a significant contributor to the local economy of Bowness and Windermere.
Grove Cottages is a self catering holiday cottage accommodation business based near Ambleside, and has been selected as one of three finalists in the category for Self Catering Holiday of the Year in the 2010 Cumbria Tourism Awards.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Rheged Centre, Penrith, on Tuesday 11th May 2010 and will be hosted by sometime professional northerner Stuart Maconie – journalist, Radio 2 DJ, TV presenter and champion of all things Cumbrian. 260 guests will be present to hear the winners of 15 categories announced.
The Cumbria Tourism Awards celebrate the best of Cumbria’s tourism businesses and the talented individuals behind them. Their hard work and dedication drive an economy worth over £1 billion. The size of business is not a factor, whether small or large it is about offering something special or outstanding and really supporting Cumbria and the Lake District.
Grove Cottages owners Andrew, Max and Ross Howard are delighted to have been chosen as finalists but know it is going to be a tough race to beat the other two contenders in the self catering category.
Grove’s luxury Ambleside cottages lie in the beautiful Stock Valley. The five cottages comfortably accommodate between 2 and 8 guests, and are rated 4 & 5 star. They are sited on Grove farm, and occupy a unique position in the Lake District, with amazing views all round. Each property is unique in character. Cozy Little Grove with its log burning stove is perfect for a romantic break for two, whereas the fabulously spacious farmhouse makes for a characterful home for larger groups & family gatherings.
There are spectacular walks to be had in all directions from the doorstep, and Guests are encouraged to explore the farm and its myriad wildlife. For the less adventurous the beautiful Stockghyll falls are within easy reach at the bottom of the farm lane. The cottages are in a very peaceful and tranquil location, yet only 1.4 miles from all the entertainment in Ambleside’s bustling village centre.
For more information visit http://www.grovecottages.com
The Mailing Room, the Royal Mail approved franking machine supplier are pleased to announced the launch of their new MailSave+ service.
MailSave+ is an access to postal discounts. The details of the service are as follows:
• A 2 or a 3 day non time critical mail service for small to medium sized businesses
• Low volume threshold to access postal savings
• Unsorted mail
• Daily or one off collections
• Regional and National service
Who’s it for?
Small to medium sized businesses and public sector bodies whose mail volumes do not meet the traditional pre-sorted or Cleanmail volume criteria.
Postrooms who want a cost effective service for non time critical traditional second class mail.
What are the benefits to you – the customer?
• Reduced cost per item on every item
• Lower volume thresholds attract discount on every item
• Volumes can be averaged to meet collection minimums
• Collections times that are convenient for you
• A cost-effective and flexible way of achieving daily mail discounts
Are there minimum volumes?
• A minimum of 250 items per collection is required
• Minimum collection volumes may be aggregated
• Minimum volume collections may vary with Geographic location
Start saving today, visit http://www.themailingroom.com The Mailing Room franking machine supplier for more information and how you can start benefitting from the MailSave+ service.
Royal Mail has announced 1st and 2nd class standard mail price increases which will take effect from 6 April 2010.
The price of 1st class standard mail (weighing up to 100g) will increase by 2p to 41p and 2nd class mail by the same margin to 32p. Postage price increases are nothing new but what does differ with this price increase is that of ordinary meter and account mail, i.e. mail franked by franking machines. The prices for franked mail are to be kept at the old rate.
This is great news for businesses and organisations that send out high volumes of mail but such a saving, typically 7p* on 2nd class franked mail, is now making franking machines an attractive option for even smaller mail outputs, for example, 25-50 items per day.
Using a franking machine means stamps never run out and mail can be organised and posted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Integrated scales give you the correct postal tariff for all mail ensuring complete accuracy. Increased brand awareness and the ability to send messages on franking labels are other advantages of using franking machines.
Efficiency in business is the key in today’s climate both in the form of money and time saving. Franking machines create savings on both for a business or organisation. For example, if you had an employee on a salary of £14k per annum, and they made one 30 minute trip to the post office every week you could save an additional £14.60 a week by using franked mail. So not only with the price freeze on franked mail from April 6 but with more efficiency in time management, franking machines should be the way forward for thousands of businesses.
The Mailing Room is a leading supplier of mailroom equipment and consumables including franking machines. Visit http://www.themailingroom.com for more information.
*Saving relates to the discount offered on first class and second class letters only up to 100g. Prices effective from 6th April 2010. Discounts may vary.
The Lodore Falls Hotel raised £700 at a “Lancashire Ladies Luncheon” which was presented in a very poignant fashion to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.
Stephen Johnson, General Manager at the Lodore Falls hotel decided to raise funds for the Keswick Mountain Rescue because of a very dramatic rescue concerning two of the hotel guests. Trudy Edgar and her husband Tom became stuck under a 70 ft tree trunk after a freak accident up the mountain behind the hotel. It took Keswick Mountain Rescue, RAF helicopter, local police, fire and ambulance service to rescue her.
The money raised at the Lancashire Ladies luncheon was presented to Keswick Mountain Rescue by Stephen Johnson who invited Trudy Edgar to come along to help present the cheque and meet some of her rescuers again.
Trudy, who lives locally still loves coming back to stay at the hotel “It is a magical place. I have stayed in some fantastic places all over the world but the Lodore Falls is still one of my favourites – you could be in any luxury location and it’s only 30 minutes from home. What makes it special is the fantastically friendly customer service, the lovely food and a simply stunning location. The fact that the Lodore staff where part of my rescue team only makes me love the place even more”.
Summing up the presentation, Stephen said “The Lodore Falls Hotel regularly supports the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team because we often see them travelling up the valley to help people. It is unusual for us to have such firsthand knowledge and we will certainly continue to support them in the future.”
Anyone interested in organising charity events at the luxury Lake District Hotels Ltd Lodore Falls Hotel should contact Stephen Johnson on 017687 77285 or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net
Goosemire Cottages, the family owned and run Lake District self catering business, are pleased to launch their January sale.
Everyone is looking for a bargain at this time of year so why should the sales be confined to the high street? Goosemire Cottages are offering discounts on full weeks booked in each of their 46 self catering properties. The discounts range from £30 – £50 depending on the property size.
The number of self catering holidays in the UK has risen quite dramatically in the last 2 years. Various factors have contributed to this for example the poor Euro exchange rate resulting in tourists staying in the UK and the cost savings of self catering compared with a hotel stay. A self catering holiday allows freedom, the ability to cook within the property so saving on restaurant bills and is an excellent type of holiday for families and pet owners.
Goosemire Cottages have available 46 traditional Lake District cottages for discerning visitors (Ranging from 1 to 7 bedrooms, sleeping up to 10). Most are rustic 17th or 18th Century Lakeland cottages or lovely barn conversions, where antiquity and modern comforts have been beautifully combined. The atmosphere and idiosyncrasies of each property are reflected on their website which offers full online booking facilities and information and images on each of their properties.
For more information on the Goosemire Lake District cottages January sale or their last minute booking discounts, visit http://www.goosemirecottages.co.uk/special-offers
Hopes Grove Garden Nurseries based in Kent are pleased to announce the launch their new look website. The website has been designed to meet the growing number of online orders of trees, plants and hedging and to provide the customer with an easier to navigate site. The ordering and searching facilities have been updated to further streamline the website with secure online ordering still paramount.
Hopes Grove Nurseries continue to take orders by phone, fax, mail and email as they understand not everyone can or wants to order online. They also continue to provide a printed catalogue which can be ordered through the methods above or online.
Read the rest of this entry »
Sterling Costs Consultants, are an established law costs draftsman service, are continuing their expansion with the opening of a second office in west London. This new southern office location is the perfect partner for their main Warrington offices which will serve the north of the UK so providing a nationwide law cost drafting service.
Their law costs draftsmen have built business over a number of years mainly from client recommendations and are constantly striving to improve all areas of their service. With business continuing to grow throughout the country the result has been the requirement of a southern office further enhancing the progression of Sterling Costs.
Sterling Costs law costs draftsmen provide that vital link that can not only lead to a satisfactory recovery of legal costs as efficiently as possible, but can also release solicitors to do what they are best at: Servicing clients without the distractions. That’s why using Sterling Costs Consultants is the best way to optimize costs.
Further information regarding the services Sterling Costs offer can be found at http://www.sterlingcosts.com
Goosemire Cottages, the family owned Lake District cottage company are pleased to announce a 46th property added to their portfolio. Based in Kendal in the South Lakes, this new property enables Goosemire Cottages to now offer a choice of 46 different self catering cottages ranging from 1 to 10 bedroom properties. Last year the largest cottage on offer was 7 bedrooms but with the rise in the popularity of larger guest groups, the 8, 9 and 10 bedrooms cottages have all been added. It has been a busy year for Goosemire with the addition of the 10 properties along with the launch of the new website. The website has been essential for the management of such a high number of properties.
Read the rest of this entry »
Christmas is approaching fast and many people are starting to think about gifts for friends and family. Each year this task gets harder and harder!
Often, the gifts people remember the most are gift experiences not objects. Lake District Hotels Ltd are pleased to offer a solution to the age old gift buying problem in the form of gift vouchers which can be selected for use in any one of their six hotels.
The gift vouchers have been created to suit every taste, requirement and budget. For example, the hotel break vouchers are available for one or two nights and range from a standard room right up to a luxury four poster room. Other vouchers include food and drink vouchers which incorporate a two course lunch for four people voucher or a £25 wine voucher, vouchers for afternoon tea and spa vouchers which include luxury massages and manicure treatments or full “well being” spa breaks. If you aren’t sure or simply can’t decide on which voucher to buy, a monetary gift voucher for one of the hotels in an excellent idea. They come in values starting at £25 up to £250. Gift vouchers take away the worry of buying the correct size or colour for a present and they allow the versatility to be used at a time that suits them.
The Lake District Hotels Ltd group consists of six luxury hotels in the Lake District, The Inn on the Lake on the shores of Ullswater, The Lodore Falls on the shores of Derwentwater, The Borrowdale Hotel in the Borrowdale Valley, The George Hotel in Penrith and finally the Kings Arms and Skiddaw Hotel in Keswick.
For more information visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net and http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/giftvouchers/.