12 - 2023 | Chalmers News PR

Serenity arrives at historic Wroxall Abbey Hotel

Posted on December 12, 2023 by admin

‘Serenity’ has arrived at Warwick’s Wroxall Abbey Hotel in the form of new luxury outdoor hot tubs.

From this weekend, guests at the Victorian four-star hotel can now book exclusive use of one of four private and secluded cabins, overlooking some of the estate’s rolling 27 acres of grounds.

Each cabin contains a four-seater hot tub and lounge area and are available for hourly or half-daily hire – with Champagne upgrade option – or as part of an overnight package.

The project marks the start of a big round of investment for the hotel, including plans next year for a new state-of-the-art indoor spa and health club and renovation of the Courtyard Building to create an additional 24 bedrooms.

Since its takeover September 2022, the business has obtained a wedding licence and launched afternoon tea and Sunday lunch menus. Most popular among the local community though is the reopening, after five years, of the 14^th century church.

The hotel currently offers 72 bedrooms, plus six conference rooms, a patio garden, Henry’s Lounge & Bar and Henry’s Restaurant which serves seasonal British and Mediterranean cuisine as well as Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea.

Managing Director Paresh Thakkar said: “There is nothing more peaceful than being with nature. Ever since we took over Wroxall Abbey we always wanted to create a private area within the estate, where you could sit back, relax and take in the beautiful surroundings. That’s when we thought of Serenity at Wroxall Abbey.

“Being able to complete the area before the end of the year was a fantastic achievement and a great step towards the development of the future spa. I hope our visitors will enjoy the serene atmosphere our team have created.”

He added: “This is the latest chapter in our long-term vision to continue to transform the hotel into the most beautiful and luxurious venue it can aspire to be.”

For further information on packages visit: www.wahotel.co.uk or call the Reservations Team on 01926 242330.

More about Wroxall Abbey Hotel

Wroxall Abbey is the only hotel in the country with its own on-site chapel, and since March, it has been recommissioned and holding Sunday services again as well as weddings and christenings.

The early origins of the estate date back as far as 1146 AD when a group of Benedictine nuns were founded by Hugh fitz Richard of Hatton. Hatton had provided over 3,000 acres of land to the church to form a monastery. Its original remains still sit directly opposite the Abbey.

The hotel itself, a Victorian neo-Gothic brick mansion, was a former girls’ school and one-time country estate of architect Sir Christopher Wren and passed down many generations of his family.

The estate is filled with a rich, fascinating history dating as far back as the 11^th century, from the old bells outside the kitchen to the original stained-glass windows on the main staircase. You can spend hours exploring every inch of Wroxall Abbey and there will always be more to find.

Award-winning South Warwickshire drinks brands collaborate for launch of new gin

Posted on December 11, 2023 by admin

Two award-winning south Warwickshire drinks brands are celebrating a pivotal partnership thanks to the launch of a new special-edition gin.

Warwickshire Gin Company in Leamington and Purity Brewing Company in Great Alne, have announced an exciting collaboration to create the 40% ABV Emperor Dry Hopped Gin, now available online and in store at and whilst also being stocked exclusively at Purity’s Birmingham-based tap room PureCraft Bar and Kitchen.

It’s the latest project of the Warwickshire Gin Company, whose collection comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to fully represent the county’s own unique story and bringing the range of hand-crafted flavours to life.

Warwickshire Gin Company, Purity Brewing Company collaboration

These include Leamington on Parade, inspired by the true story of three elephants brought over from Sri Lanka to Leamington by circus elephant trainer Sam Lockhart in the 1880s; The Kingmaker – named after Richard Neville 16^th Earl of Warwick and Peeping Tom – inspired by the legend of Coventry’s Lady Godiva.

Dave Blick, who established Warwickshire Gin Company at Victoria Business Centre, in 2018, said of the new collaboration: “We first collaborated with Purity Brewing Co. during the Covid pandemic, at a time when we were selling other local produce on our website. We’re admirers of not just their beers, but also the company’s values, which are aligned with our own. We both include stories that inspire our drinks, making them bold and unique.

“When we were asked to help develop a Hop-infused gin we jumped at the chance! We worked on several recipes with the hops and other botanicals that we thought would complement the Emperor. To add to the Roman theme we included the Italian exotic citrus, bergamot – which is a stunning fruit to use. Being able to bring Emperor Hop Dry Gin to life has been an exciting project.”

It’s a particularly special recipe for the Purity team as it’s made with a new English hop variety named in memory of the company’s late co-founder Jim Minkin who, outside of brewing, enjoyed a passion for Roman history.

Minkin established Purity, in Great Alne, in 2005 with Paul Hasley on a joint mission to ‘brew great beer without prejudice, with a conscience and a consistency and attention to detail.’

Paul Brazier, Head of Marketing at Purity, said: “Emperor hops resonated with Jim’s love for Roman history. In his time off he could be found wandering the local area looking for earthworks that would suggest Roman camps, buildings and roads.

“Whilst experimenting with the wide variety of hops Purity use, it was decided Emperor hops in combination with the Mediterranean and ancient fruit Bergamot and Black Tea, deliver the best subtle citrus kick and complex flavour notes to create a unique, quality and exclusive handcrafted Gin.

“We are delighted to be working with Warwickshire Gin Company whose twin passions are high-quality craft gin production and a love of local history. Emperor Gin is completed with branding design that stays loyal to that history theme, but with a nod to the hoppy, Purity twist.”

Warwickshire Gin Company, Purity Brewing Company — David Blick and John Conod with the new gin.

Central to Purity’s ethos is a strong commitment to supporting the environment. Purity only uses natural ingredients; supports recycling programs and respects the local community and environment. Waste products are recycled through its unique wetland system. This sustainable ecosystem helps minimise carbon dioxide emissions, reduces energy consumption, and encourages wildlife diversity.

Order the Emperor Handcrafted Hopped Gin here

Tasting Notes

The Emperor Dry Hopped Dry Gin has a unique Emperor hop forward flavour, with tones of bergamot, orange citrus and black tea for balance and additional complexity.

Serving suggestions

Pour over ice and pair with a splash of Indian tonic, and garnish with dried/fresh lime. Also works with a Mediterranean tonic and a slice of fresh orange. Emperor Dry gin can also be enjoyed as a sipping gin, savoured slowly, over a large ice cube.

Coventry Foodbank proudly presents ‘The Night Before Christmas’

Posted on December 6, 2023December 6, 2023 by admin

Coventry Foodbank has launched its latest festive fundraising campaign to help tackle the rising food crisis.

The Foodbank is appealing for support to help meet increasing demand through a new fun five-part video, filmed in collaboration with two local dance groups.

The light-hearted social media campaign with a serious message, aims to raise awareness as well as thousands of pounds for the Foodbank, which has 14 centres throughout the city.

Coventry Foodbank, campaign video

Youngsters from Leamington and Warwick Academy of Dance and Pointe The Way Ballet School in Solihull used the medium of dance to narrate the story of The Night Before Christmas – but with a difference.

It is hoped the video, which airs in its entirety for the first time today (Wednesday), will even surpass the success of last year’s, The Dance of the Foodbank Fairies, which raised £22k. This time the Fairies are trying to fend off Hunger in the guise of ninjas who are trying to steal the food!

Some 24 dancers aged between six and 15, took part in the day of filming, at Coventry Foodbank’s Halo Centre warehouse in Binley last month.

It’s a cause particularly close to the heart of the dance schools’ Principal Viv Kibble, also the wife of one Coventry Foodbank’s founders Canon Gavin Kibble MBE.

She said: “We did some filming for the first time last year and the children loved every minute. The amount we raised was incredible. This year the youngsters are the fairies of the warehouse who make all the magic happen and the teenagers are the growing hunger, ninja characters.

“As you will see in the finished film, the hunger in the city has continued to grow as cost of living has risen steeply this year so the challenge for this year’s campaign is to find regular givers who would give monthly as well as one-off donations. The target is to top £30K.

“Food poverty is very real in Coventry and everything we do helps to alleviate the pressure for those who need it the most.”

Coventry Foodbank, campaign video

Told across five chapters, the campaign culminates with the chance to watch a run through of the whole story, today (December 11^th.) To donate or watch, visit: https://coventryfoodbank.org.uk/life/ or by finding Coventry Foodbank on Facebook @coventryfoodbank and Instagram @coventry_foodbank.

Rich Smith, Head of Communications at Coventry Foodbank, said: “The rationale behind this is to tell the story in short segments to keep people’s attention on social media and it builds momentum over time.”

Coventry Foodbank, campaign video — Viv Kibble with Leamington and Warwick Academy of Dance and Pointe The Way Ballet School dancers

“There are more and more people living in Coventry who are facing a food crisis and every week Coventry Foodbank engages with people who are struggling to put food on the table and are completely relying on food and financial donations. It provides a lifeline to thousands of people across the city.”

The full video can be viewed here

General Manager appointed for Coventry hotel opening soon

Posted on December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 by admin

Hotel Indigo Coventry has appointed a new General Manager, Michael Lyons, ahead of its much-anticipated opening early next year following the completion of a multi-million-pound project.

Michael Lyons is a highly experienced Operations Director, with significant experience in award-winning hotels. He has 36 years’ experience, his first role being Assistant Floor Housekeeper at the Belfry Hotel. He has also worked as Director of Operations for Kew Green Hotels and Director of Europe Hotel Operations, UK & Ireland for IHG. Other past roles have included General Manager for Holiday Inn, Leicester, Four Pillars Hotel, Oxford and Holiday Inn, Birmingham as well as Operations Manager for Crowne Plaza, London Heathrow. Michael is married and counts running, reading, and cycling amongst his interests.

Mark Lee has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager and will be bringing with him a wealth of experience from the Lovely Pubs and the NEC Groups. He lists himself as a restauranteur, talent scout, serial foodie, small hotelier….and not always in that order.

Marek Jani has been appointed as Head Chef for Cogs Restaurant & Bar. Marek has worked across branded hotels with 150+ bedrooms and multi-outlet catering offerings, as well as smaller boutique hotels. He has previously worked as Head Chef at Strawberry Bank Hotel in Meriden, Group Executive Chef for the Innventive Leisure Group Holdings LTD, as well as Head Chef for The Three Swans Hotel, Market Harborough, Queen’s Road Restaurant at Ramada Hotel & Suits in Coventry, The Manor Hotel Meriden Best Western, and The Saxon Mill in Warwick.

Michael Lyons said, “It is extremely exciting to be a part of Hotel Indigo Coventry and to work for such a fantastic brand. I want to make Hotel Indigo Coventry the best place to stay, drink, eat and relax in this amazing, vibrant city. I am really looking forward to introducing such an interesting hotel to the industry and opening our doors to showcase all that we have achieved”.

Carl Davies-Phillips, Operations Director at Castlebridge Hospitality said “We’re delighted to appoint Michael as our new General Manager at Hotel Indigo Coventry as well as the appointments of Mark and Merek. All three bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry, and I know will be a fantastic asset to the team”.

Hotel Indigo Coventry is situated at Friargate, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 2GN, UK. For more information, please visit here