Corporate Magazine September 2017

September 2017
Opulence & panache
at
Gleneagles
The London Look!
Capital City charmers!
On the menu:
Food Fortnight

With over 10,000
UK Venues
at our fingertips,
we're ready to find
your next meeting
room, event space
or Christmas venue...
and our magical
service is completely
FREE!
To unleash the power of Findmeaconference
and the magic of our team call
01775843410
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm

Contents
Contents
4
5
6
7
This month's top
picks
Leicester
Conferences
College Court
Conference Centre
& Hotel
Crowne Plaza
Solihull
8
Crowne Plaza
Birmingham Nec
21
23
This month's
Latest Offers
Holiday Inn
Newcastle
28
29
32
Bet365
Stadium
Industry Interview:
with Pete Farrow of
Harben House Hotel
Findmeaconference
Using our services and
meet the corporate team
9
British Food Fortnight
10 30 Euston Square - Searcy's
12 Chesford Grange
13 Hilton London Syon Park
14 Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel
15 De Vere Theobalds Estate
16 Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club
17 Mandolay Hotel
18 Gleneagles Hotel
24
27
The London Look!
24 Troxy
25 Bounce Old Street
25 The Magic Circle
26 Natural History Museum
Totally Wicked
Stadium
Findmeaconference and
Findmeahotelroom are both
divisions of Infotel Solutions
Ltd. Copyright © 2017.
All rights reserved. Any rates
contained in this magazine are
correct at the time of sending.
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm
3

This month's top picks
A selection of top meeting & conference venues
Thistle Hyde Park >>
Woodhall Manor >>
Hilton Blackpool >>
Thistle Holborn
The Kingsley >>
Manor by The Lake >>
Seckford Hall Hotel >>
Holiday Inn
London Sutton >>
Thistle City Barbican >>
Doubletree by Hilton
London Islington >>
View more >>
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm
4

Featured Venue
Leicester Conferences
Oadby, Leicestershire LE2 2LH
Day Rates from
£35
24hr Rates from
£115
Located two miles from the city
campus, Stamford Court is part of the
Oadby Conference Centre; a 40 acre
site with beautiful landscaped grounds,
a 16 acre botanic garden and a wide
range of rooms and suites, with the
Gilbert Murray Lecture Theatre the
largest space accommodating up
to 270 delegates. All meeting rooms
have free WiFi and AV equipment
as standard.
The executive head chef has carefully
crafted bespoke, award-winning
menus to suit a range of dietary
requirements and events, from gala
dinners to fuelling delegates with
finger food buffets.
Residential conferences with overnight
stays can be accommodated outside
of term time. There's ample free
parking and the property is easily
accessible by rail, road or air.
568 Spaces
On-site FREE
FREE
WiFi
Restaurant
& Catering
Bar
Lecture
Theatre
Gym
Indoor
Pool
Sporting
Activities
270 Max
Delegates
16 Function
Rooms
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 5

Featured Venue
College Court Conference
Centre & Hotel
Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 3UF
Day Rates from
£35
24hr Rates from
£115
A superb mix of 36 stylish rooms, all
with natural daylight and excellently
equipped with LCD projectors and
screens, lecterns, flip charts, black-out
facilities and free WiFi. The Oak Suite
has the largest capacity, welcoming
up to 160 delegates for theatre-style
events.
College Court Conference Centre is
surrounded by established trees and
landscaped gardens, and meeting
facilities are grouped around an airy
break-out area. Close to the vibrant
City Centre, the Leicester venue offers
a tranquil and peaceful environment
for meetings, training days and
conferences.
The on-site meetings and events team
will assist with organisers' requirements,
from setting up audio-visual equipment
to working with the head chef on
customised menus to suit budgets
and dietary requirements.
525 Spaces
On-site FREE
FREE
WiFi
Restaurant Bar 160 Max 36 Function
Delegates Rooms
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 6

Featured Venue
Crowne Plaza Solihull
Solihull, West Midlands B91 3QD
Day Rates from
£30
24hr Rates from
£135
Natural daylight fills many of the 12 flexible air-conditioned meeting rooms which have
complimentary WiFi and video conferencing facilities. The De Limesi suite is the largest
space, accommodating up to 200 delegates for theatre-style events or 150 guests for lunch.
A dedicated Meetings Director will help with organisers' requirements, from initial enquiry
through to successful event completion. Overlooking the hotel's lake, the Terrace Restaurant,
bar and lounge is an ideal space for unwinding and enjoying the 'fast and fresh' menu.
Located in the heart of Solihull, five miles from Birmingham and the NEC, this modern hotel
is convenient for meetings and conferences in the midlands.
164 Spaces
On-site
FREE
WiFi
Restaurant
& Catering
Bar Weddings Parties &
Dinners
Fitness
Centre & Gym
Indoor
Pool
Audio &
Visual
200 Max
Delegates
12 Function
Rooms
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 7

Featured Venue
Crowne Plaza
Birmingham Nec
Birmingham, Warwickshire B40 1PS
Day Rates from
£35
24hr Rates from
£129
With an experienced team and a dedicated events
centre, Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC can host a
range of events, from boardroom meetings to lavish
banquets welcoming up to 220 guests.
A choice of 11 meeting and banqueting rooms are
available, many with natural daylight. All conference
rooms provide free high speed internet access,
projector, flip chart and markers. The largest suite
overlooks the terrace and lawn, which is ideal for
team-building events.
Delegates can enjoy a working lunch chosen from the
innovative 'Eat Well, Work Well' menu which has been
developed to provide energy and nutrients to keep
everyone focused or enjoy lunch in the hotel's
restaurant, Eleven.
Birmingham International Airport and Railway Station
is a short distance from the hotel.
200 Spaces
On-site
FREE
WiFi
Restaurant
& Catering
Bar Park & Fly Fitness Laundry 220 Max 11 Function
Centre Service Delegates Rooms
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 8

Food
Fortnight
Held in the autumn, from 23 September to 8 October,
to coincide with harvest festivals, British Food Fortnight
is the biggest annual celebration of British
food and drink. Now in its 15th year, the event
encourages businesses and organisations from
across the UK to take part. Hospitals, Harrods,
St Pancras Station, Buckingham Palace, the
BBC and the National Trust are just a few of the
famous establishments that add their support.
To celebrate British Food Fortnight we're
previewing some of the best of British venues
serving fabulous food all year round.
Whether you're looking for the perfect place to
entertain clients, award-winning dishes to
delight delegates or an end of year glittering
reception to thank the team, our appetizers
definitely hit the spot!

30 Euston Square - Searcys
For a London date, the home of the Royal College of General Practitioners at 30 Euston
Square - Searcys impresses with award-winning meeting and event space. For a real
sense of occasion the Penthouse Staterooms and adjoining Rooftop Terrace are
perfect for daytime and evening events, from small conferences to summer parties
entertaining up to 230 guests for a reception or 160 for a seated dinner.
Need something a bit bigger? Embrace the modern facilities and advanced technology
available in the tiered 300 seat Auditorium. With white wash walls and lots of natural
daylight, the adjacent exhibition space makes an ideal networking or registration area
with plenty of opportunities for branding.
FROM THE KITCHEN
Behind every event at 30 Euston Square is renowned caterer, Searcys, world famous
for delivering cutting edge food and first class hospitality.
With a passion for quality and the ability to execute an event to the very
highest standard, executive chef Daniel Broughton and his brigade are committed to using
locally sourced, sustainable and seasonally produced ingredients.
With a talent of turning each dish into a gourmet experience, whether it’s a sandwich or buffet
lunch, informal bowl food or a bespoke five-course meal, it's food at its finest.

Chesford
Grange
A serving of historic charm with a side dish of
contemporary glamour awaits guests and
delegates to Chesford Grange on the outskirts
of Kenilworth and close to the beautiful town
of Leamington Spa.
With 13 conference and meetings rooms
available, it's state-of-the-art conferencing with
an efficient and experienced team delivering
board meetings, exhibitions, product launches
and team-building in the 17 acres of grounds.
FROM THE KITCHEN
The team of talented chefs devise interesting and refreshing menus to suit all tastes,
whether it's a simple steak or an exquisite piece of seared tuna.
The ethos for each and every dish is to create
something special to tantalise the taste buds
and where possible to source the freshest local produce. Chefs are happy to work with
organisers to create the perfect private dining experience, matching your taste and
theme to your budget!

Hilton London
Syon Park
Gosforth Park, The Madness of King George and
Poirot are just a few of the films which have been
shot at the stunning Syon Park Estate, the London
home of the Duke of Northumberland. Contrasting
the history and heritage of the estate but equally
elegant is the modern Hilton London Syon Park.
With the estate providing a dramatic backdrop for
meetings and events, the hotel offers a choice
of 11 stylish rooms, state-of-the-art plug and
play technology, Bose audio systems and
built in digital projectors.
Enjoy an elaborate champagne celebration in the
Grand Syon Ballroom for 500 guests or an intimate
meeting in either the Empire or the Astor room,
both flooded with natural daylight and with
great views over the grounds.
FROM THE KITCHEN
Whether it's business brunches, nutritious light bites
or innovative dishes prepared with the freshest
ingredients, the team lead by Marco Pierre White,
will create the perfect menu.
"I crave simplicity in both my lifestyle and food.
I will always choose simple traditional cooking
over fancy concoctions where you’re not quite
sure what the food is supposed to be.
Classic dishes, simply cooked
using the best, well-sourced,
seasonal ingredients, is the ethos
behind all of my Steakhouses. The menu is all
about traditional British dishes with classics that
will always stand the test of time. Happy dining!"
Marco.

Hanbury Manor Marriott
Hotel & Country Club
For a touch of stately home grandeur, this Jacobean style country house ticks all the boxes.
The richly panelled Library with its open fire place and large windows is an elegant space
for boardroom meetings and private dining for up to 20 guests.
FROM THE KITCHEN
It's award-winning dining lead by executive chef Marcus Gregs.
For authentic best of British dishes you'll need
to make a reservation for the Zodiac Restaurant.

De Vere Theobalds Estate
King Edward VII and Winston Churchill have been
wined and dined at this stunning estate. Full of
Georgian features, there's 29 meeting spaces,
including a unique tree house for smaller,
summer time meetings.
Detailed oak panelling, high ceilings and garden
views make The Boardroom a fine choice for an
intimate dining experience for 20 guests or pick
The Lambton and throw open the French doors
which lead out to the Italian gardens.
If you want a light and modern space, the stylish
barn conversion with its pretty courtyard is ideal
for breakout drinks and dining.
FROM THE KITCHEN
It's a modern British menu featuring classic
dishes including roasted pork belly and
black pudding, steak and ale suet pudding
and regional, artisan cheese boards. You will
also need to raise a glass in the
Temple Bar! Named after the fine stone
arch which stood in the hotel's grounds from
1887 to 2003, and designed by Christopher Wren,
the arch has been returned to London and is now
the entrance to Paternoster Square, opposite St
Paul's Cathedral.

Dalmahoy Hotel
& Country Club
A former baronial manor house, Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club is surrounded by 1,000 acres of
parkland with stunning views, including Edinburgh Castle on a clear day! It's an impressive venue for
private dinners, meetings and social gatherings for up to 300 guests and offers a choice of 11 suites
and rooms.
For private dining pick the Dalrymple or Lothian Room. Located in the original house, period features,
chandeliers, high ceilings and huge windows create an impressive backdrop for superb hospitality.
FROM THE KITCHEN
Executive Chef Rob Newman leads his team in delivering deli lunches, high teas, Scottish themed
menus, summer BBQs, hot and cold delegate lunches and private dining options. Seasonal and
locally sourced ingredients, including herbs from the hotel's garden and
honey from their own beehives definitely keeps it local!
Slow cooked guinea fowl, pan seared cod and oven roast lamb rump are just a few
of the delicious dishes diners can enjoy.

Mandolay
Hotel
For award-winning, boutique styling,
the independent Mandolay Hotel in
Guildford offers eight purpose built
meeting and event spaces. Modern,
flexible, sound-proofed and with first
class AV facilities, the eight purpose built
rooms are perfect for parties for up to
250 guests and receptions for 800.
For smaller scale events, the Oak Room,
with lots of natural daylight, is ideal
for boardroom meetings for up to
24 delegates.
Comfortable bars and lounges offer
everything from an all day coffee shop
style service to a stunning range of wines
and spirits including individual Gin,
Vodka and Cocktail Menus.
FROM THE KITCHEN
"The award of 3 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence is of course a source of great pride to
myself and my entire team. We have worked hard to build our reputation by using locally
sourced and responsibly farmed food.
Our menu is driven by the seasons, we appreciate the difference
between creativity and fussiness, keeping to the simple but strict rule of always
allowing the food to be the star…"
Simon Roberts, Head Chef.

Gleneagles Hotel
Our British Food Fortnight menu finishes at
the legendary Gleneagles in Perthshire. The
magnificent palace styled country house hotel is
set in gentle rolling hills with three championship
golf courses and extensive outdoor pursuits
including shooting, fishing, falconry, off-road
driving and horse riding.
If it's opulence and panache you're after,
Gleneagles brings an impressive sense of occasion
to a range of events. The historic estate has hosted
the G8 summit of world leaders and can cater for
everything from an intimate strategy meeting to
a conference for over 800 delegates.
Overlooking the stunning landscape, there's
a range of luxurious and versatile spaces.
The Blue Bar, right on the 18th hole of the King's
and Queen's golf courses, is a decadent al fresco
setting with heated sofas, luxurious throws,
a large circular fire pit and a wide selection of
Cuban cigars.
The bar is a stylish showcase for the velvety
smooth Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky.
Order a bottle and then leave it behind the bar,
nicely labelled with your name so it waits for
your next visit!

If you want a laid-back atmosphere with a roaring
log fire and antler motif chandeliers, the cosy,
wood-clad Shooting Lodge hits the spot for indoor
dining for 30 or an outdoor BBQ for up to
200 delegates.
Dine amongst the treasures, artefacts and archive
material from the hotel's history with a private
dining experience in The Cellars.
With the original railway bays where wine
from across Europe was once delivered, it's
an atmospheric room ideal for wine and spirit
tastings, intimate dinners, cocktail parties and
canapé receptions.
Chefs will customise a menu to fit the occasion
and the Sommelier will introduce you to some of
the cellar's hidden gems before choosing a vintage
wine expertly paired with your meal.

FROM THE KITCHEN
He might have his cooking roots in classic
French but Andrew Fairlie is one of Britain's
most celebrated chefs and his exquisite
restaurant is the perfect setting to experience
his a la carte or tasting menu. Both will
live long in the memory.
The two Michelin-starred chef's signature dish
is smoked lobster served with warm lime
and herb butter.
Sourced from Scrabster on the northern tip
of Scotland, the shell is smoked over oak shavings
from Islay whisky casks for five hours before the
lobster meat is returned to the shell for a light
roasting. The smokiness combined with the
zesty butter sauce is a perfect pairing.
Open six nights a week you will need to make a
reservation for the Andrew Fairlie Restaurant but
once your meeting or event is over, is there
a better way to complete your day?

Delegate Discounts & Deals
Latest Offers
Billesley Manor Hotel
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Autumn Offers
Host a meeting before the end of
November 2017 to benefit from these
great offers.
FULL DETAILS
Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow
Hayes, Middlesex
Discounted Day Rates until the end of 2017
Rates from £45 per delegate (usually £55).
Christmas packages also available.
FULL DETAILS
Best Western Grosvenor Hotel
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Pick 'n' Mix Conference Offer
Upgrade your package, choose two
additional items to add to the meetings.
FULL DETAILS
MORE OFFERS
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 21

Delegate Discounts & Deals
Latest Offers
Kilworth House Hotel
Lutterworth, Leicestershire
Early Booking Offer for October 2017
New bookings only. Day rates from
£36 per delegate (usually £42) and
24 hour rates from £139 per delegate
(usually £168).
FULL DETAILS
Ends Soon
Mercure Burton upon Trent
Newton Park
Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
Discounted Day Delegate package
15% off bookings held before the end of
September 2017. Rates from £33.15
per delegate (usually £39).
FULL DETAILS
De Vere Cranage Estate
Homes Chapel, Cheshire
2018 - Early Bird Offer
Rates start from £25 per delegate (usually
£40) for events booked before the end of
November 2017 and held before the end
of April 2017.
FULL DETAILS
MORE OFFERS
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 22

Featured Venue
Holiday Inn Newcastle
upon Tyne - Gosforth Park
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE13 6BP
Day Rates from
£25
24hr Rates from
£99
Sitting in a peaceful location, close
to the junction of the A1 and A19
and less than 15 minutes drive from
Newcastle International Airport,
this hotel is also convenient for
Nelson Industrial Estate, Apex
Business Village, and both Quorum
and Cobalt Business Parks.
There's a choice of 11 meeting rooms,
the largest accommodating up to
400 delegates.
Complimentary WiFi and technical
support, free parking for up to 250
vehicles and with sprawling grounds,
team-building activities are also an
option.
Private dining and extensive hot or
cold buffets are available.
250 Spaces
On-site FREE
FREE
WiFi
Restaurant
& Catering
Bar Weddings Parties & Gym & Indoor 400 Max 11 Function
Dinners Spa Pool Delegates Rooms
Choose FREE
additional extras
with your Day &
24hr packages
More details >>
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 23

The London Look!
Want to add some quirkiness to your
next Capital City event? Here's four
London venues ready to rock your guests
and delegates!
Troxy
Air-conditioned, with a state-of-the-art PA and lighting system,
Troxy can be hired for award ceremonies, conferences, live music
events, film screenings, indoor sports and parties.
The Grand Hall is the main large space and is split into two
pillar free levels. The ground floor offers 1070m2 of flexible
floor space with the circle area adding an additional 861
tiered fixed seating, and the White Room and Conference
Room creating great breakout areas. A production room,
dressing rooms, five bars, a large cloakroom, a 2am
bar licence and an excellent, fully equipped kitchen
complete the cinematic picture!
Don’t just think huge parties for nearly 2000
guests though! Troxy will set the scene for a
memorable sit-down dinner for up to 1000
guests and smaller presentations and
meetings for up to 40 delegates.
Originally a grand cinema opening in the1930s and
oozing art deco sophistication, the halcyon days of
Troxy saw evening dress as the staff uniform and stars
of film and pop attending screenings.
Today, the Grade II listed building beautifully combines
modern day facilities with historic charm, setting new trends
with events such as the word-famous Secret Cinema,
Channel 4's televised Brexit debate and the NME awards.
It also gained further music industry awareness when Take That
band mates presented Robbie with a BRIT Icon Award in front of
2.35 million TV viewers. Google's Christmas party and Ted Baker's
AW14 Fashion Show keep the trend of popularity going for this
East London venue which has picked up several of its own awards;
Venue of the Year (2013), Bronze in the Unusual Venue category at the M&IT Awards, Best Venue Team (2014),
Best Venue finalist (2015) and awarded the Mark of Excellence in the
London Venue Awards (2016).
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 24

The London Look!
Staying in the East End,
Bounce Shoreditch puts
the topspin into a meeting
with award-winning design
specifically for conferencing
and adds on an all-inclusive
social experience!
Take a stunning bar, a high
quality restaurant and high energy
entertainment and you've got Bounce!
Home to ping pong, the table tennis
loving venue gives you a games guru
to get even the shyest delegate on
their toes, back spinning, blocking
and chopping, regardless of ability!
It's a game changer! And the meeting
facilities are pretty fabulous too; hosting
meetings for up to 150 delegates in the main
space or a board room meeting for 28, there's
a 10ft wide cinematic screen, HD projector
and super sound system, break out areas for
brainstorming and syndicate sessions and
then there's the Play Room!
Exclusive. Luxurious. It's a private room with a
cocktail bar and your own bartender, three bespoke
Butterfly Ping Pong tables, your own ball collector,
UV Ping Pong, plug and play iPod and DJ connection
and a photo pod! Suitable for up to 100 delegates, the
Play Room is available day or night and is guaranteed
to impress.
For intrigue and mystery
it doesn't get any more
mesmerising than a meeting
at The Magic Circle! Houdini's
famous water chamber and
Tommy Cooper's fez are a couple
of the props conjuring up an historic
backdrop for events in the Devant
Room or the Clubroom, where world
renowned magicians meet to exchange
their secrets!
A modern theatre seating up to 162 delegates
is available or play your cards right and use
the Museum for a reception for 30 guests! It's a
treasure trove of items from the golden era of the
music hall and with the aid of an expert guide,
guests will be entertained with tales from this
bygone period.
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 25

The London Look!
Natural History
Museum
From one iconic institution to a world class
research centre housing collections dating
back billions of years. With magnificent
architecture and 80 million specimens,
the Natural History Museum provides
a variety of spaces for corporate
events, including out of hours
private viewings.
Receptions for up to 400 or a
dinner for 200 guests takes centre
stage in the Earth Hall where you'll
share the space with specimens
of moon rock, precious metals,
fluorescent minerals and at six metres
long, the most intact Stegosaurus!
Add on one of the museum's scientists
to deliver an earth inspiring after dinner
speech and it's an event to live on in
peoples' memories for a long time!
For theatre style presentations the
purpose-built Flett Events Theatre welcomes
up to 200 delegates. Entry is via a private foyer,
perfect for registration and refreshments, with
nearby galleries and exhibits available for
delegates to discover during their breaks.
The venue has won many awards for its
environmentally friendly practices and with the care
and support of the superb events team, a day or a
night at the museum is a winner with everyone!
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm
26

Featured Venue
Totally Wicked Stadium
St Helens, Merseyside WA9 3AL
Day Rates from
£25
Opened in 2012 and home to the town's world famous Rugby League team, St Helens R.F.C, the Totally
Wicked Stadium offers unique and versatile meeting and event space for up to 500 delegates. Four rooms
are available, with additional second floor corporate boxes for smaller meetings and break-out space.
The ground floor Sponsors Lounge can host a reception for up to 500 guests or theatre-style events for
400 delegates. Alternatively the space can be split for a smaller capacity suitable for 100 delegates.
Technical support is available with an AV production team and a dedicated event organiser on-site,
with the in-house catering team creating the perfect menu for corporate events. Free WiFi and office
support is available and there's ample free parking for up to 500 vehicles.
500 Spaces
On-site FREE
FREE
WiFi
Catering Bar Weddings Parties &
Dinners
Audio
& Visual
Technical
Support
500 Max
Delegates
6 Function
Rooms
Christmas & New Year at
Totally Wicked Stadium
More details >>
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm
27

Featured Venue
Bet365 Stadium
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 4EG
Day Rates from
£33
24hr Rates from
£99
This premier league football stadium
delivers tailor made packages for
corporate events, conferences, banquets
and celebrations. The Tony Waddington
Suite is the largest space, with pitch side
views it accommodates 350 guests for
a gala dinner dance and up to 400
delegates for theatre-style meetings.
For smaller meetings and presentations,
the Gordon Banks Suite is perfect for up
to 32 delegates. Named after Stoke City
legend, Club President and one of the
world's greatest goalkeepers, the light
and spacious suite has natural daylight,
air-conditioning and complimentary WiFi.
For large scale events, the car park can
hold a marquee up to 800 square meters
and working in partnership with the
Lindley Group, corporate catering for
up to 1000 guests is available.
2000 Spaces
On-site FREE
FREE
WiFi
Catering Bar Parties & Football 1000 Max
Dinners Stadium Delegates
9 Function
Rooms
Christmas at
Bet 365 Stadium
More details >>
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm
28

Industry Interview
Industry Interview
Peter Farrow, General Manager at
Harben House Hotel, talks snow
in summer, multi-million pound
refurbishments and future goals for
his Buckinghamshire venue which
caters for up to 120 delegates.
What's a typical day or week like
at Harben House?
That’s the great thing about hotels
and working with the public. No day
or week is ever the same. At the
moment, the Harben House is
undergoing a £3 million refurbishment
program so I'm spending most of
my time overseeing and planning for
completion along with looking after
our current guests and ensuring
they're happy. We're also busy with
new menu designs and the service
standards programs.
What attracted you to the leisure
industry?
I was initially attracted by the variety
that the leisure and hospitality industry
offers. It gives you the opportunity to
cross over within departments, work
your way up and travel all over the
country and the world. I have worked
in hotels all of my life, and what I really
enjoy, is not only the variation, but the
passion and commitment to putting
people first, whether that’s the guests
or the team. It offers THE BEST
motivation and job satisfaction!
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 29

Industry Interview
Industry Interview
With Peter Farrow, General Manager
at Harben House Hotel
Are there any events you've held that
stand out?
We host a large number of events at
Harben House Hotel, from conferences
and meetings to celebrations and
weddings.
Over the years I have helped host many
events at various venues and there have
been quite a few memorable ones but
the one that sticks in my mind the most,
was a private Christmas Dinner
celebration in July!
We decorated the room, had crackers
and served a full turkey dinner with all
the trimmings! It may have been 30
degrees outside but we had fake snow
indoors! It was everything the guests
wanted, which was of course, was the
main thing. Overall a great success!
What areas are included in
the refurbishment and what
improvements are being made?
It's a fantastic time for the hotel,
staff and guests. All of the bedrooms
and the reception area are being
refurbished. We're creating a brand
new bar and restaurant concept,
which will offer new spaces to dine
and relax in and a great menu to
go with the new look.
We're are also working on the
refurbishment plans for our meeting
and event spaces, which will bring
modern, state-of-the-art facilities
to the hotel.
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 30

Industry Interview
What's your favourite area?
Once finished, it will be the bar
and restaurant. The décor looks
fantastic and it’s going to be
very impressive!
With the exciting new menu and
drinks, it's a great improvement
for the hotel and with our excellent
team taking care of guests, I'm
sure everyone is going to really
enjoy the experience.
When is it all due to finish?
The bar and restaurant will be
completed this September and
the bedrooms will be finished
mid-October, so not long now!
It will be very exciting for our winter
and festive season guests, who
will be experiencing a gorgeous,
refurbished hotel.
What's next?
Once the refurbishment is complete
then it will be all about growing the
business and creating awareness
for our new facilities. It will also be
about training our team, improving
service standards and making sure
we are delivering to our guests and
exceeding expectations.
Bookings and feedback from our
guests will help us to understand
if we are getting this right and
achieving our goals and 2018
will be the big year for us.
What do you love doing when
you're not working?
I love travelling, experiencing new
places and searching out new dining
concepts. Travel, food and drink are
my passions!
And finally, what achievement are
you most proud of?
The one that sticks out for me
was gaining 4 stars and 2 rosettes
from the AA within three months of
opening Needham House last year.
It's a lovely hotel just outside Hitchin
and operated by the Countrywide
Hotel group, the same operators
as Harben House.
01775 843410 Lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm 31

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- Meadplan Ltd
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Let’s be friends
Let’s be friends
Founded by former British
Olympian Brendan Foster in
1981 and now one of the world's
most popular half marathons,
the Great North Run welcomes
57,000 runners from over 130
countries to the streets of
Newcastle to South Shields.
If you’re running and still need a
place to rest your heels, bathe your
blisters and ice your aches, here's a
round-up of accommodation for the
9 and 10 September 2017.
VENUES
HOTEL ROOMS
Let’s be friends