TAKING THE NEXT STEP… Despite challenging market conditions, Northcote has emerged perfectly poised to enter the next chapter of its life. Amanda Afiya speaks to Stuart Procter and Craig Bancroft about their plans for The Stafford Collection’s much-loved country house hotel
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orthcote has just celebrated three years as part of The Stafford Collection, the independently owned luxury portfolio of UK hotels and restaurants, and it couldn’t be in better shape to take the next exciting step in its journey to become one of the most iconic country house hotels in England.
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“The success of this place over the last three years has been phenomenal in terms of performance, leadership, sales and marketing – and the quality
of the food has gone through the roof,” explains Stuart Procter, COO of The Stafford Collection. “There’s been some real innovation from the team.”
‘Northcote is going to be Northern at its heart but have the quality of a five-star London hotel. It’s going to be beautiful’
Singling out one such project, Stuart refers to the Gourmet Box concept created by executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, which launched in November 2020, just as the second national lockdown came into force. While businesses up and down the country were shuttered, Northcote food boxes offered customers forced to stay at home, Michelin-starred, restaurant-quality gourmet dishes in the comfort of their own surroundings. “The Gourmet Boxes were so successful, it was incredible,” says Stuart, adding that Northcote sold up to 400 boxes a week, each box for two people, more covers than the property had done in its history. “But on top of that stellar performance during several lockdowns, we’ve emerged to a buoyant staycation market and Northcote is full
