Business blossoms at city centre hotel
Champagne corks were popping as The Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel celebrated its first birthday and significant business growth over the last year. Chester’s oldest hotel, which dates back to the 1400’s, underwent a three million pound investment a year ago. It has led the way for the St. John Street development, with Cruise recently opened and also a Pitcher & Piano and a Pizza Express on the way in the same street.
The Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel has recently been shortlisted for Large Hotel of the Year for the Visit Chester and Chester Awards, which will be announced at Chester Racecourse on June 6.
Business growth for The Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel has improved over the last year, with food and beverage sales grown by 51 per cent, room rates up by 15 per cent and room occupancy by four per cent.
The Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel is the only hotel left in the country as a Blossoms Coaching Inn. The hotel dates back to 1650, when an Inn named “Blossoms’ opened; there has been an Inn on the site since 1410.
Kate Halewood, General Manager of The Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us through our successful first year; suppliers, local producers and all the team employed at the hotel. The New Blossoms is going from strength to strength and we are delighted with our recent nomination for Large Hotel of the Year in the Visit Chester and Cheshire Awards. We have worked in partnership with the Chester city centre management team and the NWDA to boost our business growth. We believe we have helped Chester to maintain its reputation for providing excellent accommodation and cuisine; made from the best produce available, for leisure and business guests to the city.”
The Blossoms name stems from Lawrence the Deacon, who had a following during the Roman persecution of the 3rd century AD. His face was depicted surrounded by Blossoms after his death, giving rise to the name.
By 1750 the inn was too small to cater for the increasing coach traffic and was re-built with larger stables and its own brew house. The hotel was again reconstructed in 1896 and although further developments have taken place, the venue still retains its charm and character.
The three million pounds refurbishment project in 2007 included renovating the hotel’s 67 en suite bedrooms, Snooty Fox Restaurant, conference and meeting rooms, lounge and cocktail bar. Further investment is planned for 2008, to enhance the current facilities on offer at the hotel.
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Notes to editor:
The Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel, located in the heart of the historical city of Chester, just off the main shopping street, and only a short walk from Chester’s famous Racecourse, provides the perfect place to stay no matter what the occasion.
With 67 individual bedroom experiences, ranging from smart executive rooms to character feature rooms, four poster and suites, every care has been taken to combine the period charm of the building with modern luxury facilities.
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts Limited operates 48 well-located hotels across the UK and ten resorts throughout the UK and Spain. The company employs over 4,400 staff and operates in excess of 3,900 rooms.
First established in 1990 by Donald Macdonald and colleagues, the company was floated in 1996 on the main London Stock Exchange. In 2003, it returned to private ownership and was one of Scotland’s biggest public to private deals at a cost of 620 million pounds, which was wholly underwritten by the Bank of Scotland. The Bank now owns 50 per cent of the equity with the remainder held by the management.
The Group’s focus is on developing its strong portfolio of four and five star hotels, with each offering its own character and individuality underpinned with the quality and attention to detail expected of the Macdonald brand. In particular, the company prides itself on the seasonality and provenance of its food within the hotels, from breakfast through to dinner, as well as its wide range of specially selected wines.
The Group has recently embarked on a programme of investment and refurbishment that includes properties such as Macdonald Blossoms in Chester, Macdonald Old England in Windermere and Compleat Angler in Marlow. In addition, the Group recently opened the Macdonald Portal Hotel Spa and Golf in Cheshire in July and the Macdonald Manchester Hotel, situated in the heart of the city centre, adjacent to Piccadilly Station in October 2007.
For more details visit: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/blossoms/
Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel Contact: Lynn Hunter, Communications Manager Mob: 07944 722631 Tel: 01506 815246 MACDONALD HOTELS Email: lynn.hunter@macdonald-hotels.co.uk
Press Contacts: Phil Brotherhood Mob: 07884 493370 Tel: 01244 330000 MARKETING PROJECTS Email: info@marketingprojects.co.uk
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