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.