Chocolate box

Chocolate box gift for home owners

New home buyers at The Chocolate Factory in Greenbank, Bristol will get a box of chocolate treats when they move in – thanks to the previous residents Elizabeth Shaw.

A total of 140 houses and apartments are being built for sale at the site in Greenbank, which has been derelict and unused since Elizabeth Shaw ceased production there and moved out in 2006.

Generator Group South West is now creating a new community alongside the Bristol and Bath Railway Path with a public square, community facilities, local shop and workplaces alongside as well as the new homes. Some 85% of the first phase is now under offer with buyers set to move in within the next month.

To mark the 140th anniversary of Elizabeth Shaw and its links to the site the chocolate makers have provided Generator South West with a selection of Elizabeth Shaw treats as a handover gift when they move in.

Karen Crawford, Managing Director of Elizabeth Shaw, said: “We are delighted to see the regeneration work now going on at a pace at the old factory. The Greenbank community grew up around the chocolate factory and it was a big part of our history. “In the lead up to our 140th year much changed for everyone in a very short space of time. We launched an online shop www.elizabethshaw.co.uk/shop during the pandemic to provide our shoppers with another way to buy our products and gift loved-ones from the comfort of their own home. This year, as we celebrate our 140th year, we are still proud to be a Bristol business and recognise our past in this way.”

Mya Castillo, sales and marketing consultant for Generator South West, said: “It is a fantastic offer by Elizabeth Shaw to provide these wonderful boxes of their products. Some of the new homes will actually be inside former factory walls while others are newly created.

“It will be exciting for the new residents of Greenbank to get a taste of the products that were made where they now live.”

Just one three-bedroom home remains for sale on Co-Operation Road. The larger and 4-bedroom homes with parking are launching shortly.

As of April 22 the marketing suite and visitor centre will be open Thursday to Monday. To make an appointment call 0117 374 6600 or email enquiries@chocolatefactorybristol.com

The manor house pitches in for self-catering staycations

The Manor House has purchased a private cottage in the stunning village of Castle Combe to add a self-catering option to its already impressive line-up of bedrooms, suites and properties ahead of an expected summer of staycations.

With overseas travel still uncertain for the remainder of this year and many people looking to stay in the UK for their annual holiday, the luxury Wiltshire hotel has purchased Baker’s Cottage to give a new dimension to its overnight offering.

Now that self-catering breaks are permitted with one’s own household in line with the government’s roadmap out of lockdown restrictions and the trend in domestic travel bookings surging this summer, The Manor House quickly moved to capitalise and improve its offering.

Baker’s Cottage will join Ludlow Cottage on the estate’s picturesque row of mews cottages, which is home to 29 bedrooms. Each cottage has between one and five bedrooms, meaning the larger cottages are ideal for family bubbles. Ludlow Cottage is another luxurious suite with a four-poster bed and traditional beams on the mezzanine floor, with a bathroom, lounge and small kitchen on the ground floor and outside garden terrace to the rear.

The estate’s golf lodge, which overlooks the 18th green and waterfall of its spectacular championship golf course, provides a further self-contained option, with easy outdoor access and space.

The new cottage is a two-bedroom dog-friendly property with its own garden terrace, kitchen – with all cooking appliances – and lounge. Complete with a double size bedroom, twin bedroom, as well as a sofa bed available in the lounge, it is perfect for a relaxing family getaway – housing up to four adults, a child, a dog and a baby.

The cottages give guests a real taste of Cotswold life, with beautiful walks, as well as the city of Bath just 30 minutes away.

They are available from £1,000 for threenight weekend or four-night midweek breaks, with a week’s stay starting at £1,400. The Waterfall Lodge is available from £129pp and includes one nights’ accommodation, breakfast and 36 holes. General manager at The Manor House, Gaius Wyncoll, said: “Baker’s Cottage is a real coup for The Manor House. It’s a stunning property with lots of character and plenty of space for an entire family.

Avid golfers can enjoy one of the best courses in the South West, with the Peter Alliss and Clive Clark-designed 18-hole layout set amongst 365 acres of breathtaking rolling countryside – offering some of the most beautiful views which can be seen on an English golf course

The luxury 14th-century stately hotel, home to a Michelin starred restaurant, al-fresco dining terraces and a dedicated gin bar, as well as the cosy 12th-century country pub which sits in the heart of the village, will both fully open on Monday, May 17, as part of the government’s next stage of easing restrictions – giving guests delightful dining options and further opulent accommodation alternatives. “We are lucky enough to be situated in one of the most magnificent parts of the country and wanted to make sure we would appeal to everyone looking for a domestic getaway this summer. It is fantastic that we now have several options so that people can still escape after nearly a year of being cooped up at home.”

The above packages are dependent on government restrictions and some reopening dates may change.

www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house

Independent PCC candidate pledges more support to tackle shoplifting and staff assaults

John Smith, independent candidate in the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections, has pledged to assign additional resources to tackle shoplifting and assaults on staff, and to continue initiatives to support local businesses if elected on Thursday May 6.

John says: “I worked with the Police and Crime Commissioner to set up the Avon and Somerset Business Crime Forum, which brought businesses and the police together to implement a Business Crime Strategy. This group has undoubtedly made progress but in my view additional resources for, and prioritisation of, business crime is needed to adequately address concerns.” If elected, John would prioritise business crime and address the following: The police need to encourage business crime reporting and recording so that an accurate picture of business crime across the area can be collated.

Businesses must be encouraged to adopt prevention, deterrent and self-help measures. A Business Crime Prevention Campaign would be launched and work in partnership with members of the Business Crime Forum.

The police should urgently review the current approach to shoplifting – called Operation Heron. Shoplifting is an important crime, one that can be linked to drug and alcohol dependency and more crime if not addressed. John would ask the police to reprioritise shoplifting prevention. 30 Police should focus on prolific acquisitive crime offenders through a carrot and stick approach, offering additional support for offenders that engage but swifter punishment for those that do not.

The police to prioritise their response to violent crime, abuse and hate crime against retail staff.

The Police must also work with national, regional and local colleagues to improve the response to cyber crime for businesses. The current national Action Fraud response, as well as regionally and locally, is not good enough and needs to improve. John added, “To some these crimes can seem low level, but they cause real distress to staff and real financial costs to businesses, so I would ensure they are and are seen to be a priority of Avon and Somerset Police if I am elected on 6 May.”

John is hosting a virtual policy roundtable event on April 22 to discuss why the approach to business crime needs a rethink. The attendees include John Mayer from Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Steve Bluff from Broadmead Bid, Gareth Williams from the Yeovil Crime Reduction Team, Paul Hannah from the Co-op and Keith Rundle from Bristol City Centre Bid. Elections for the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner are being held on Thursday May 6. John’s full manifesto can be viewed on https://www.johnsmith4pcc.com/.