Warm Welcome Magazine - March Issue by The Little Publishing House

March Issue Utilise your outside spaces with eco-friendly and maintenance free recycled plastic furniture

Serving wine by the glass during these challenging times

Introducing ‘Ready Built’ stone hearth ovens from Beech Ovens

Pages 20-21

Pages 28-29

Pages 36-37

warmwelcomemagazine.com

Contents 4

Hotels

Outdoor Solutions

Commercial Bathrooms

Commercial Catering Equipment

Contract Beds & Bedding

Travel

To feature in an upcoming issue or to discuss advertising opportunities please contact a member of the Warm Welcome team; Publication Manager Dean Little - 01227 314 324 dean@warmwelcomemagazine.com Sales & Marketing Manager Michael Amor - 01227 314 324 michael@warmwelcomemagazine.com Editorial Assistant Carol Jean - 01227 314 324 carol@warmwelcomemagazine.com

UK Citadines properties awarded Bureau Veritas SafeGuard Label The Ascott Limited has been awarded the SafeGuard Label for four of its London based Citadines properties and its deluxe four-star Mayfair property The Cavendish London by testing, inspection and certification body, Bureau Veritas. The certification confirms that the properties have the appropriate health, hygiene and safety procedures and processes in place which are in line with globally recognised best practices. Citadines Barbican, Citadines HolbornCovent Garden, Citadines Islington, Citadines Trafalgar Square and The Cavendish London have all been independently verified by Bureau Veritas, which has also awarded a further 30 properties across Ascott’s European portfolio with the SafeGuard Label. The Ascott Cares Hygiene and Safety Label is a holistic programme, which has been developed by both organisations and utilises Bureau Veritas’ health, hygiene and safety expertise of more than 190 years in testing, inspection and certification. 4

Billy Hughes, Area General Manager UK, The Ascott Limited said: “We are committed to providing a safe space for our guests, which is why we developed both the Ascott Cares commitment and brought in Bureau Veritas to independently review and certify our properties. Guests can be reassured from the moment they book a stay at one of our properties that their health and wellbeing is our top priority and that we will continue to provide a safe haven for them and a safe working environment for our staff.” The Bureau Veritas label further reinforces the ‘Ascott Cares’ commitment, which promises that all of Ascott’s properties will continue to provide a safe home away from home for guests and a safe working environment for its staff. Ascott Cares covers nine commitments, which are aligned with World Health Organization standards and local regulations, to enhance Ascott’s existing cleanliness protocols. To find out more about the Ascott Cares visit: www.the-ascott.com A review of Citadines South Kensington is due to take place shortly.

Hotels

The Belfry is remaining open for key workers and essential business meetings To support key workers and essential business travel and meetings, The Belfry Hotel & Resort is remaining open through lockdown. The resort is offering accommodation with free upgrades for business travellers and key workers and access to its meeting and event spaces for small essential meetings and wedding ceremonies. The resort remains open for virtual meetings and events and is offering 20 per cent off its new Belfry Live setup*. The new permanent setup, The Belfry Live, offers a professional virtual meetings and events solution that allow organisations to connect live with audiences across the globe to collaborate and cascade information, ensuring conferences, meetings, corporate events, product launches and award ceremonies can take place safely in line with government guidelines. For those looking for a space to work from, The Belfry is offering a Business Day Let package priced from £49 per day**, or £140 to include an overnight stay, so guests have the opportunity to work in a luxurious and quiet space with no distractions. Guests

can spend the day working in a safe and spacious superior room with a desk overlooking The Belfry’s iconic golf courses. The package also includes free parking and fast Wi-Fi, in-room refreshments and a light lunch created by the hotel’s in-house award-winning chefs. To support essential small meetings, the resort is offering meetings rooms from just £49 per person*. The package includes refreshments, lunch and meeting essentials including an LCD projector and screen and a flipchart. The Belfry offers 22 meetings and event spaces with meetings placed into the largest rooms with outdoor access, overlooking the putting green, the iconic 18th hole of the Brabazon and the lake, so that guests can take advantage of the resort’s 550 acres of grounds to ensure safe distancing. The Belfry has a number of safety measures in place while still offering the same award-winning welcome and memorable experiences that guests have come to love and know. The Belfry’s ‘Our Pledge to You’ initiative showcases the resort’s commitment to meeting the highest standards cleanliness

Hotels

procedures and protocols. Across all areas of the resort to ensure a safe and secure visit for your delegates Guests can rest assured that The Belfry has been awarded AIM secure accreditation, the UK’s only recognised quality standard for the meeting industry, and the ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standard which recognises that they have followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines. Awarded England’s Leading Conference Hotel at the World Travel Awards, The Belfry is one of the UK’s leading meeting, conference, and event venues. The resort is easily accessible being close to the M42 and M6, Birmingham New Street station and Birmingham Airport. *For bookings up to 5th April 2021. **Daily rates available from 9am until 5.30pm. Room service also available. For more information please visit www.thebelfry.com - telephone: +44 (0) 1675 238600 - email: enquiries@thebelfry.com

Hotels

Hotels focus on new social-distancing measures Creative hotel staff have come up with new measures to ensure people maintain an appropriate distance from each other if they attend any meetings at any of its sites.

Staff discovered that the two-metre distance can be measured using: - Three standard umbrellas, end-to-end - 22 water bottles, side-by-side

Focus Hotels challenged staff at the businesses it manages to come up with alternatives to the two metre stickers which have become commonplace in shops and other outlets during the pandemic.

- 23 disposable coffee cups, side-by-side - 27 white wine glasses, side-by-side.

And the team at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre found the perfect solution, using items which aren’t out of place in any hotel but are easier on the eye than the stickers.

Sarah said: “We’ve all seen things like footprints on the floor, and pieces of tape laid down to help people maintain the recommended distance from each other to prevent the spread of the virus.

Sarah Monk. Commercial Director for Focus Hotels, said: “What they’ve come up is quite quirky, but very appropriate for a hotel environment. Full marks for creativity!”

“Most of our hotels have meeting and function rooms, so we thought we could have a bit of fun asking our hoteliers how they were measuring out the social distancing.

“After all, we could all use a bit of fun during these particularly difficult times. “The DoubleTree team’s response was perfect, although I’m not sure we’d be able to set the meeting rooms of all our hotels up like this for every meeting or booking!” All the hotels managed by the Focus group have been hosting essential meetings and training sessions for a wide variety of different businesses over the past few weeks. Sarah added: “While this has been a bit of fun, we take the health and safety of our customers and staff extremely seriously. “It’s important that people know they can book their meetings and training events with us with confidence, knowing that we have done everything possible to create Covidsafe environments at all our hotels.” Last year, Focus Hotels invested in Certificates of Conformity from Buckinghamshirebased Clifton Environmental Services, a leading global provider in its field, for all its independent businesses, while branded hotels, like Hilton and Accor, were subjected to acclaimed safety schemes of their own.

De Vere donates over £200,000 to NHS Charities Together De Vere, a collection of historic mansion house estates and distinctive contemporary hotels, has donated £202,248 to NHS Charities Together to help NHS staff, volunteers and patients at the centre of the COVID-19 crisis. The money was raised when De Vere pledged a proportion of the value of each direct bedroom booking, including VAT, to NHS Charities Together* after the hotels were allowed to open in August 2020. De Vere’s donation will help support NHS staff, volunteers and patients in key areas including welfare and wellbeing, assistance for patients leaving hospital, and long-term mental health support for NHS workers. Tony Troy, CEO at De Vere said: “We continue to be humbled by the extraordinary efforts from those working on the front line to help us in the fight against COVID-19. We all have a part to play to help defeat the virus and De Vere’s £202,248 donation is just another way as a company we can give back and thank the NHS for all their hard work and sacrifice.

“It continues to be a challenging time for the hospitality industry, so we are delighted to be able to honour our commitment and would like to thank all the guests who stayed with us this summer, helping to raise the money; together we are making a difference for those affected by coronavirus.” Ellie Orton, Chief Executive, NHS Charities Together, said: “We are so grateful to De Vere for its support of NHS Charities Together. Donations mean NHS charities across the country can continue to be there for NHS staff, volunteers, and patients – helping with immediate needs, and supporting mental health and wellbeing, now and into the future. Thank you to De Vere and its customers for supporting our appeal.” De Vere’s properties are located across the UK from Surrey to Cheshire and set within country estates and parkland, where guests can discover hidden scenic lakes, sculptures, and breath-taking countryside views. Each property is on the doorstep of some of the country’s most beautiful

Hotels

landscapes, offering the opportunity to explore the great British outdoors. Hotels in the portfolio include De Vere Cotswold Water Park, – surrounded by a nature reserve and beautiful lakes, De Vere Wokefield Estate which has an 18 hole championship golf course, De Vere Tortworth Court set within a 30 acre estate which includes a Victorian arboretum housing more than 300 plant and tree specimens and De Vere Beaumont Estate located within 44-acres of stunning grounds which includes natural ponds, manicured gardens and quirky sculptures. For information on De Vere, visit DeVere.co.uk or ring 0333 344 9200. *A proportion of the booking value including VAT was paid to NHS Charities Together (registered charity 1186569) - supporting NHS staff, volunteers and patients at the centre of the COVID-19 crisis. Donations made against direct actualised bedroom bookings only. Cancelled bookings not applicable.

Hotels

4 simple marketing mistakes setting your business back It’s more important than ever to be at the top of your game. In order to succeed, as we emerge from the aftermath of the pandemic, businesses need to keep pushing through marketing and getting themselves out there. However, many businesses are making simple mistakes that are setting their efforts back. For instance, according to Google, almost 70% of successful companies say that inbound SEO is their highest quality source of leads. However, for businesses overlooking the value of SEO in their strategies, they’re missing out on all of these potential opportunities. Businessperson of the year 2020, Sarah Kauter, is the CEO of multi-award-winning marketing and PR business, Verriberri. Having worked in the industry for almost 12 years, she is well acquainted with the fundamental do’s and don’ts of the marketing world. Here, she shares her advice on the kind of marketing mistakes business owners are making, and how to solve them.

You don’t have a plan As a business owner, first on your list should be a marketing plan of some sort. Time and time again, business owners are left overwhelmed with the realisation of the sheer amount of marketing needed to put their business on the map. The time just isn’t available when the day to day running of a company is on your shoulders. As a result, marketing takes a backfoot and the growth of the business is hindered. Break it down into sections and do your research. A defined list of business goals can help you target your marketing strategy. Taking a look at your competitors and their successes can also give you an indication of what could work for you. If marketing isn’t your line of expertise, then stick to what you know and find an agency that can help you with marketing. If you’re not sure where to start, finding a reputable marketing agency will be an invaluable investment to your business.

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Book a few consultations so that you can find the perfect marketing match for your company. This can also help you gain a better understanding of what your business could benefit from and what kind of budget you’re looking at. You’re trying to appeal to the wrong audience This is an extremely common mistake and unfortunately one that can deter good business. Sometimes, companies can be so focused on who they want their customers to be, that they aren’t acknowledging the clients they actually have. Listen to customer feedback and really get to know your target demographic; you can look at a wider audience further down the line. This easy and simple market research can really help you on the road to success. New customers are important, but so are the ones who have already purchased with you. Repeat customer have fewer barriers to overcome before using your services,

because they have trusted your business before. Keep in mind that a misread of audience could cost you uncounted amounts of revenue. Lack of social media In today’s ever-changing digital society, a social media presence is paramount. If done well, it’s a steadfast way to push you to the forefront of a wider demographic and consequently, increase your revenue. Surprisingly, one of the most frequent mistakes that set businesses back is the complete absence or a lacklustre presence on social media. This mostly comes down to lack of experience. Consider the platforms most appropriate for your brand. With over a billion monthly users, Instagram is often a good place to start for many businesses. There is a common misconception that you should be posting all the time on these channels. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you want your content to gain maximum exposure, posting at specific times when social traffic is high will hugely benefit the engagement you receive. Make sure your content is effective and keep in mind that any images you use reflect directly on your brand. Additionally, using fresh and relevant hashtags is a brilliant way of getting your business noticed by the right people. Users can follow and engage with specific hashtags to stay updated on a current trend and creating good visibility will enhance the success of your branding. Essentially, social media is used to connect and converse. If people are talking about your brand, acknowledge it! Engaging with current consumers and potential customers will only play to your advantage. Put the work into your website Just as important as social media, a professional looking website can make a huge difference when it comes to sales. However, one of the easiest marketing mistakes to make is the belief that once the website is set up, the work is done. Just like your social media, it must be nurtured consistently for effective SEO. If your website doesn’t look inviting, and the content isn’t clear and concise, potential customers will not stay on it for long. This will negatively impact your SEO. The goal is to be seen as the ‘go to’ expert in your field. If you want to be seen as reputable, your content must be relevant to the common searches, informative and easy to navigate. User friendly pages will encourage readers to engage with your page, people won’t stick around to read between the lines. Every business Is different, there isn’t a guaranteed formula that works for everyone. For further details please visit: verriberri.co.uk

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New cost-effective antimicrobial surface protects hospitality businesses from coronaviruses and bacteria Keeping staff and customers safe has never been such a priority for hotel, restaurant and bar management. What if, rather than having to wipe down the surfaces after every visitor, the high use areas such as reception desks, counters and bars were actually designed to help fight viruses? Here Stuart Tranter, General Manager of Alanod UK, part of the world’s leading manufacturer of specialised coated metal surfaces, discusses how the company’s latest antimicrobial copper surface can help reduce the transmission of bacteria and viruses, included coronaviruses, whilst looking stylish and sophisticated. Commonly used materials that are frequently seen in hospitality spaces are those that provide just the right environment for viruses to sit on and remain viable for days at a time. These include materials such as stainless steel, varnished wood and plastic, that are robust, long-lasting and easy to clean, but are also comfortable places for microbes to lurk. There are materials, however, that can play an active role in the battle against infection and one of these is Alanod’s new MIRO® CU unique copper-coated antimicrobial surface. Long before the development of modern microbiology, people understood that copper or silver vessels helped to preserve foodstuffs and delay spoiling. In fact, ancient civilisations in India and China used copper to prevent and treat disease. Over the years, copper has been shown to have the strongest

and longest-lasting antimicrobial effect. Tests on 100-year-old copper handrails installed at New York’s Grand Central Station showed that they were still killing bacteria and viruses as effectively as new material.

the protection of countertops, tables and worksurfaces. These formats make MIRO® CU ideal for manufacturing, servicing or retrofitting to hospitality surfaces that are in frequent contact areas and used by multiple customers and/or staff.

Stylish, cost-effective copper For all its advantages as a hygienic material, pure copper also has some significant pitfalls. It is still a relatively costly metal, for example and it is tricky to work with. However, thanks to development work by Alanod, a new technology is now available that offers all the antimicrobial properties of pure copper in an accessible, versatile and cost-effective format. Called MIRO® CU, this new material uses Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) to permanently bond a layer of copper only 200 nanometres thick onto a sheet of anodised aluminium. This layer of copper provides enough ions for a lifetime of antimicrobial performance, while the 95% recycled aluminium substrate produces a material that is lightweight, environmentally friendly, easy to handle and cost-effective. Moreover, the bright copper surface is visually stunning when new, and will develop a luxurious patina with time and use. MIRO® CU is available in two versatile formats. A 0.1mm foil with a self-adhesive backing is easy to cut and bend, making it idea for application to light-switches, door handles and other high touch areas. Alternatively, 0.5mm sheets are suited for

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In tests conducted at the EuroVir institute in Germany, Alanod’s MIRO® CU was shown to eliminate up to 99.97% of the bacteria and viruses applied to its surface. When compared to stainless and plastic surfaces, where the virus was still detectable up to three days after application, there is only one logical solution for surfaces that need to protect staff and customers alike. Open for business Samples of MIRO® CU are available on request from Alanod and the company is proud to offer the hospitality sector its 40 years of experience in the research, design, development and manufacture of specialised metal materials. As many businesses look for ways to keeping staff and customers safe, surface advancements such as MIRO® CU are proving to be a real gamechanger in the fight against coronavirus. For more information about Alanod and sales or sample enquiries please contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1908 285507 Email: tranters@alanod.co.uk Web: www.alanod.co.uk

Industry News

Make your business more profitable with Beverlecs SmartBars Have you ever imagined having a bar management system that automatically takes account for all drinks stored in the cellar, right through to every drink poured behind the bar? Well, with Beverlecs SmartBars this is possible. Hard to believe I know, but Beverlecs have launched a revolutionary bar management system called SmartBars that can dramatically reduce wastage and losses, improve the efficiency of your bar, and help manage stock using valuable cloud-based data. The automated system accurately accounts for all drinks in the cellar right through to every drink poured - giving you maximum control 24/7. This sophisticated system has been designed to overcome significant lack of accurate management information and stock security within the licensed trade today, resulting in unrealistically high allowances for stock losses, errors and reduced profitability.

We believe SmartBars will tackle these issues by only allowing authorised transactions to take place and therefore increasing the profitability of your business. So how does it work I hear you asking? Basically, SmartBars use a unique combination of intelligent drink dispensers that cleverly communicate with our autonomous point of sale management system, A.P.O.S. The intelligent dispensing components we produce can easily fit within your existing bar set up. They have been designed to integrate with standard bar dispensing equipment including beer pumps, draught wine and bottles, fridge shelves and spirits. The components pour beverages at selected measures when authorised, using a Smart Key. A.P.O.S. our cloud-based management system is the first of a new generation of POS systems that digitally identifies every drink poured or bottle served by brand, quantity, price, sales total and server ID. It continually collects data

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for every single transaction carried out to provide a live and accurate view of how your business is performing. Consequently, making memorised manual input a thing of the past. Working in a bar that has SmartBars technology will massively improve efficiencies and therefore give bar staff more time to deliver exceptional customer service. They’ll also have peace of mind that all drinks they serve are automatically priced and displayed on the integrated Smart Screen for both them and their customers to see – reducing risk of human error, stock inaccuracies and keeping a log of their personal sales data. It sounds like it’s going to be a hassle. You may think installing a new system like this is going to be a real upheaval but in fact the system has been designed so it can easily be integrated with your current bar set up. SmartBars are modular in concept and design so bespoke systems can be created specifically to your business needs.

At Beverlecs we believe the SmartBars system could help re-energise your business, especially at a time when the pandemic is having a huge impact on the hospitality industry. And like many others, I’m sure you’ll be looking for cost effective ways to continue operating your business to hopefully come out the other side. So whether you run a pub, restaurant, hotel or any hospitality venue, maybe a mobile self-service bar could be a great asset for your business too. Beverlecs have designed a mobile bar that not only looks good, it also uses the same unique technology designed for SmartBars but with the added benefit of customers and

servers being able to serve themselves from both sides of the bar – and it’s cashless.

Mobile – Ability to move your bar inside or outside depending on the weather or event

Again, you can configure this bar to your own requirements depending on whether you’d like it to hold beer only, wine only or all beverages. Or maybe you’d only need to offer the most popular brands – either way, the choice is yours.

Cashless transactions – no cash is needed, customers set up an account

Our mobile bars have so many benefits and especially in a time when the hospitality industry is being massively impacted by Corona Virus, we believe a self-service bar could help in many ways: Self-service – Authorised customers and staff can serve themselves

Smart Key – every authorised customer and member of staff will have their own Smart Key to access the bar Reduced queuing – no more waiting at the bar to be served for both servers and customers Integrated with SmartBars – all transactions are recorded in the cloud-based system For more information please visit: beverlecs.co.uk

If you would like to find out more, please visit beverlecs.co.uk or give us a call on 0800 689 5061

Industry News

New dates for the UK Food & Drink Shows Following the announcement of the third lockdown and the rollout of the vaccine, the UK Food & Drink Shows comprising Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show, The Ingredients Show, Foodex, National Convenience Show and The Forecourt Show have been postponed until 5-7 July 2021. This move has been positively received by the industry, who can now look forward to coming together at the NEC Birmingham in July, uniting the worlds of food development, grocery, manufacturing, specialist retail, wholesale and foodservice. The UK Food & Drink Shows promise to be a hotbed of positivity and celebration reuniting over 1000 leading brands, relishing a return to live action providing the largest, most important event of its type in 2021. Andrew Reed, Managing Director, Events & Exhibitions for William Reed, commented: “The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our business as it has the businesses of our exhibitors and visitors and we’re delighted we have managed to secure new dates in July at the NEC.” “No one is better placed or more experienced to deliver safe and inspiring live events, and no other event in 2021 will have the laser guided sector focus, breadth of exhibitors, content and innovation. We look forward to the summer as a time of great celebration, of new ways of thinking, new products, new attitudes and a new start for our industry. We can’t wait to once again welcome exhibitors and visitors to the NEC in Birmingham.” William Reed has worked closely with the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) in developing the industry wide AllSecure Standards, designed to provide the highest levels of hygiene and safety, allowing its shows to operate effectively and safely according to Government and local authority guidance. For more information on exhibiting at the shows or registering interest as a visitor, email: julie.adlington@wrbm.com

Utilise your outside spaces with eco-friendly and maintenance free recycled plastic furniture! NBB Recycled Furniture specialises in creating attractive and hard-wearing outdoor furniture, fencing and accessories made from 100% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), previously destined for UK landfill sites.

As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of 100% recycled plastic outdoor furniture, NBB has an unrivalled range of over 1,000 products. We offer our furniture at competitive prices, and with market leading product guarantees of up to 25 years! Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that we are now a member of the Made in Britain organisation and hold accredited status. Most of our products are manufactured at our workshop in Poole, Dorset, and we are delighted to say that sales of our products have saved over 33 million milk bottles from entering UK landfill to date. The current pandemic continues to force businesses, workplaces, and educational establishments to observe strict social distancing and hygiene protocols in order to remain open. With this in mind, social distancing guidelines are likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future, which can be a challenge where inside space is limited. Fully utilising your outside spaces is crucial; outdoor areas are typically lower risk and can

Outdoor Solutions

provide a more practical way to organise social distancing whilst creating break and waiting areas for customers and staff. Recycled plastic outdoor furniture is the perfect choice, both practically and aesthetically, as the material looks like timber but can last outside all year round without the need for annual maintenance. It is extremely hard wearing – guaranteed never to rot or splinter – and the non-porous properties make it easy to clean between uses. Not only does it look great, with a wide range of colours available, but it has also helped many of our customers achieve their environmental goals. View our full range and order your sustainable furniture this Spring at www.RecycledFurniture.co.uk or call our friendly sales team on 0800 1777 052. P.S. We offer free delivery on all orders with a UK mainland address* and 30-day instant credit to established businesses. Order now and get your areas outdoor ready for Summer!

Outdoor Solutions

Traditionally made, fabulous timbers in Oak, Teak, Iroko and Sweet Chestnut. Garden tables, picnic tables, patio tables, barbecue serving tables, Bespoke tables. In fact any type size or shape we can create for you.

Outdoor Solutions

STUNNING HANDMADE GARDEN FURNITURE BROUGHT TO YOU BY UK BASED SOLID OAK HARDWOOD FURNITURE To create perfection we very carefully choose the finest hardwoods.

As a genuine British Manufacturer we take great pride in creating all our products to the highest standards.

Our main timbers are Oak, Teak, Iroko and British Sweet Chestnut.

We employ traditional joinery techniques and use the very finest timbers, all legally certified and in accordance with FSC and PEFC guidelines.

Our products are all environmentally friendly and we take the greatest care not to use harmful chemicals.

These standards are your guarantee of our commitment to sustainability and preservation of the worlds natural resources. Once our selected timber arrives in our care, we check to ensure the timber is to our exacting standards, grade and store to allow air flow until we are ready to create your furniture.

Our furniture is only available from our factory in Hartlepool. We deliver across the UK and Europe All our handmade furniture carries a 15 year warranty covering defective workmanship.

SIMPLY CALL US ON So if you are looking for that special something to impress at dinner parties, a curved bench to sit around the patio, an accessible table, or a single chair and side table to sit in peace and admire your garden. Perhaps a massive picnic table to seat over 12 people – we can help. We also create beautiful Memorial Benches which provide a fitting tribute to a lost loved one.

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Serving wine by the glass during these challenging times Restaurants, hotels, bars and pubs, have to continue to serve customers wines by the glass, even though there are fewer customers than before. Plus, they have to continue to offer the same selection of wines by the glass as well. So what can they do to ensure that the wines served are fresh AND they don’t need to throw away opened bottles of wine that have gone off? There is no shortage of options in the wine preservation space. Here are a handful of options available: 1. Handheld Vacuum Pumps One of the oldest wine preservation gadgets, the handheld “vacuum” pump, has been a staple in many kitchen drawers since 1986 and can still be found in some restaurants and bars to this day.

2. Dispensing Machines Fast forward to the 21st century and you can now outfit your restaurant or bar with fancy, high-tech machines that try to do everything for you, including push-button pouring, chilling at the right temperature, and preserving bottles with large industrial sized canisters of argon gas. Some can even be extended to allow customers to walk up, insert a credit card, and serve themselves! Pretty cool. But they are not cheap - we’re likely talking thousands of pounds. The argon does keep bottles well preserved, but installation considerations can be complex, and this is definitely the most expensive option out there. 3. Coravin©

The concept made sense - pump some air out of the bottle in an effort to create a vacuum. Users loved the personal satisfaction felt from pumping until you hear that famous “click”!

The Coravin© craze continues with their latest version gaining more bells and whistles like wireless bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and companion mobile app.

But in reality, they don’t really create a true vacuum, so you’re still leaving more than enough air in the bottle to allow for oxidation. In fact, an increasing number of experts say they do more harm than good as the pumping actually stripes some of the precious aromas from above the wine.

For the hardcore oenophile at home or the wine gadget addict who wants the option to taste how their cellared wines are evolving over many years, this £500 gadget is definitely for you!

Handheld vacuum pumps are pretty simple to use, dirt cheap, but not very effective.

However, restaurants and bars that use it need to make sure that they own enough of the devices to handle busy periods, stock the small replacement argon capsules (good for up to 15 pours), train their staff how to use it properly,

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and ensure that the fragile needles are cleaned consistently to prevent contamination. An effective wine preserver, but the busy restaurant owner may want a simpler and/or a more scalable solution. 4. Private Preserve The grandfather of wine gasses, Private Preserve has been around since the eighties. It contains a bunch of gases, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon. Since it does contain some argon (albeit third on the list of ingredients), the carbon dioxide and nitrogen are really just taking up space as it’s the heavier argon that will sink to serve as the protective layer above the wine. They may look like cans of industrial spray paint, but they are cheap and even a little argon is better than nothing.

5. Winesave PRO One of the common characteristics of the more effective wine preservers is that they all leverage argon (a truly inert AND noble gas), and Winesave is all about argon. Winesave was the first to provide a handheld canister containing 100% high-quality, food-grade argon in 2009 and their latest version, the winesave PRO, has the most in the market - up to 150 applications. The tube connected to the canister is flexible so it won’t snap off in the bottle and is made with an ultra-repellent material to help prevent contamination. The patented canister not only looks slick, it also has a nice weight to it in your hand as well. Trade customers in the UK can buy winesave PRO wholesale direct from the manufacturer (winesave.co.uk) at a substantial discount with free shipping which makes it quite affordable. Winesave is an effective, easy, and affordable solution for any restaurant, hotel, bar or pub that serves wines by the glass - highly recommended during these challenging times. For more information please visit: www.winesave.com

Industry News

Showering comfort for every bathroom Bathrooms that are both visually appealing and provide practical touches tend to offer the highest levels of comfort. Duravit’s range of shower trays can be tailored to suit individual needs and requirements, ensuring optimum showering comfort, and aesthetic appeal when complemented by matching taps.

The Tempano shower tray series comes in 27 variants – rectangular or square – and blends beautifully into the ambience of any bathroom. The glossy white surface made from sanitary acrylic is as robust as it is pleasant to the touch. An optional anti-slip coating (class C) ensures additional stability. Available in flush-fitting, semi-recessed, or floor- mounted variants, Tempano combines showering comfort with great aesthetics, and the flush-fitting installation creates a generous sense of space. The stone-like Stonetto shower tray turns showering into an encounter with nature. The unique look of the shower tray is due to its matt surface – natural, original, and authentic. Made from the high-quality DuraSolid® material, the shower tray is scratch-resistant, robust, and anti-slip (class B). The surface of the tray and the removable outlet form a visual unit, a gentle recess into which the water vanishes. Four colors and 14 possible sizes as well as a choice of flushfitting, semi- recessed, or floor-mounted installation variants open up a host of options for customized bathroom design. Duravit’s universal tap ranges can be combined to match the shower trays: functional with the familiar soft, round forms (B.1), geometric and straight- lined (B.2), or ergonomic with a striking recess in the handle (B.3.). Pre-installed shower systems with a showerhead and hand shower, and a thermostatic or single lever shower mixer are practical allround solutions that do not require complex concealed installation. As a result, these shower systems are also perfect for retrofitting.

Commercial Bathrooms

Similarly, the slim line, consummate shape of the design series C.1 by Kurt Merki Jr. combines well with all bathroom ranges. Available in a round and rectangular design, each in different sizes for ceiling or wall mounting, they promise an enjoyable showering experience every time. Matching hand showers are the perfect addition and are available in a range of different variants. Similarly, single lever shower mixers and thermostatic mixers also come in a round or rectangular design. Matching accessories, such as the Chrome or Matt Black towel rails from the Starck T series by Philippe Starck combine ultimate showering comfort with holistic bathroom design. Duravit AG Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms. The company is active in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovation in the fields of signature design, comfort-enhancing technology and premium quality. In cooperation with high-profile international designers, such as Philippe Starck, sieger design, Kurt Merki Jr., Christian Werner, Matteo Thun and Cecilie Manz, the company develops unique bathrooms that enhance quality of life for users on a sustained basis. Duravit’s product portfolio comprises sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, bathtubs and shower trays, wellness systems, showertoilets, tap fittings and accessories as well as installation systems. For further information please visit: uk www.duravit.co.uk

Commercial Bathrooms

KEUCO Black adds an elegant touch in a modern bathroom When it comes to stylish modern furnishing black surfaces and finishes catch the eye, offering a luxurious appearance especially in the bathroom. If black is destined to be a key colour in your bathroom; KEUCO has an extensive range of products within their Black Concept collection. KEUCO EDITION 11 bathroom furniture is available with a stylish black metallicpigmented lacquer finish. The rectangular vanity units, sideboards, high and low storage units in this collection are all designed to be handle-free with a softtouch closing system. This noble matt-black look exudes an air of elegance and extravagance, yet the velvet matt quality of the bathroom furniture ensures the room maintains a cosy atmosphere. The black finish on this collection is easy to care for as each surface has anti-fingerprint protection.

It’s not only furniture that is available in stylish black the inventive IXMO shower range is also available with a PVD brushed black chrome finish. IXMO combines aesthetic design with functionality; as the single fitting elements allow a variety of functions, the number of visible fittings required is actually reduced. This allows greater freedom when planning the layout of the shower and bathtub in the bathroom. The large rectangular EDITION 11 head shower creates a minimalistic look, the light metallic shimmer of the brushed black chrome surface works equally as well on light and dark surfaces, displaying to perfection the modern yet honest design elements of EDITION 11. The Black Concept is available in all areas of the bathroom, the ROYAL LUMOS light mirror has a black all-round anodized rim, and the two LED illuminating sources (main illumination and washbasin illumination), can be dimmed

Commercial Bathrooms

intuitively via the control panel. There is also an option to vary the colour of the light and activate the mirror heating option preventing misting. The colour theme flows through the bathroom including accessories. KEUCO shower shelves are the perfect combination, a stylish design that provides practical storage space for the shower. There are two wall mounted variants plus one that can be hung over the shower wall, these spacious shelves are made of grey-black powder coated aluminium. The iLook_move cosmetic mirror with brushed black chrome PVD coating adds the finishing touch to this darkly accentuated, colour coordinated bathroom design with matt-black surfaces, metallic optics and luxurious KEUCO bathroom furnishings resulting in a sophisticated interior. For more information visit: www.keuco.com

Commercial Bathrooms

Restaurant groups pressure government to bring back Eat Out to Help Out Luke Davis, CEO of IW Capital, and owner of Rockwater, discusses why investment is needed to help hospitality businesses survive the impact of continued lockdown

Over 300 restaurant groups, led by takeaway giant Deliveroo, have written to the Prime Minister to urge the government to run the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme again once hospitality is allowed to reopen in order to help the struggling sector. The scheme, run in August of last year, offered 50% off meals in order to encourage wary customers back in to restaurants and pubs, with the Treasury covering the shortfall. August saw increased bookings and revenues compared to earlier in 2020 while on August 3rd bookings were 10% higher than in 2019. In that period the scheme was used over 100 million times, but many felt that the impact was short-lived, especially given the increased restrictions that quickly followed the incentives. Luke Davis, CEO of IW Capital and owner of seaside hospitality venue Rockwater:“More practical supports needs to of been offered to the sector. Gimmicky support schemes like Eat Out to Help Out were great at the start, but were never going

to be enough. The other measures in this letter will also help but once again delay the problem to another, later, time. “Hospitality used to qualify for investment under Enterprise Investment Scheme, but unfortunately this was scraped. If EIS was extended to hospitality, we would see a huge increase of investment and private equity into the sector, meaning businesses wouldn’t have to take on more debt to survive, giving them a much larger chance of success in the future. “People want to get out and spend, businesses want to grow and investors want to help them do that, it’s a perfect storm for rapid growth. Pubs will bounce back along with restaurants and other hospitality, no one will want to stay at home after the year we’ve had and I really believe that. Working with local residents on redeveloping the pub and hospitality venue Rockwater Hove has shown me how much people want, more than ever, a place to come together as a community. What we need now, however, is real support to help the sector get there.”

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Introducing ‘Ready Built’ stone hearth ovens from Beech Ovens Beech Ovens is renowned worldwide for the spectacular finishes applied to their regular range of stone hearth ovens that are available in many different sizes and shapes – round, square, rectangular, Duck tall, custom; Wood-burning, Gas, or combination Wood/Gas.

stainless steel housing to suit your décor – shown is the handsome REC105E in Black with a stainless steel trim – arrives ready built to slot into your designated space under a suitable regular Extract hood.

Taking things a stage further, Beech has now developed its first ‘Ready Built’ Ovens. These include all the characteristics of regular Beech Stone Hearth Ovens, but for the first time, in addition to gas and wood-burning, they now offer a CE Approved Electric version in the ready built range.

Get cooking whether it’s Gourmet Pizzas, Fritata’s, breakfast items, Casseroles, Chicken wings & breasts, slow cooked Lamb Shanks, Planked Salmon, Oysters Rockefellers, Prawn skewers, Moules Mariniere, Bouillabaisse and many more items – the benefit of ready built models is that installation is quick and easy so you can get cooking your menu straight away.

7 widths of E-Series Ovens are available in 2 depths providing capacity to suit most size operations, plus you can choose a RAL colour finish of your own choice, or plain

For a full brochure with specifications and capacities please call 01895 272236, check out www.equipline.co.uk, or email hello@equipline.co.uk

Commercial Catering Equipment

Takeaway UK Takeaway spending surged by more than 50% a few weeks after the first lockdown. The average Brit used to spend around £12 a month on takeaway, but this jumped to more than £20 a month as more people used takeaways to treat themselves while staying in. One in ten Brits order a takeaway at least once a weekend and more than half of us know exactly which restaurant we fancy before going online to order. With this in mind Fresh Student Living have deep dived into the Takeaway habits of Brits over the past 12 months. The trend is still growing. In January 2021, Google searches for ‘Uber Eats’ were up by a whopping 116% compared to last year, while searches for Deliveroo jumped by 67% and Just Eat by 42%. With more people ordering in their favourite meals instead of cooking, the nation’s on track to spend 11 billion pounds on takeaway this year! A Nation of Chinese Lovers According to new data from YouGov, the pandemic has shifted Britons takeaway habits. Whilst previously Deliveroo reported that the UK favoured burgers as their

takeaway of choice, with 28 out of 60 cities choosing some sort of burger-based meal, now one in four Brits pick Chinese food as their preferred takeaway. Coming in second, Thai food is replaced with Indian at 17% and at third, 16% opt for the British Classic Fish and Chips. Regional Top 3 Takeaways South of England – Chinese 28%, Indian 18%, Fish and Chips 15% Midlands/Wales – Chinese 25%, Fish and Chips 19%, Indian 17% North of England – Chinese 24%, Fish and Chips 17%, Pizza 16% Scotland – Indian 25%, Chinese 24%, Fish and Chips 20% London – Chinese 21%, Indian 15%, Fish and Chips 13% Most Popular Fast Food Restaurants in the UK During the first lockdown Fresh Student Living analysed Google searches to reveal the nation’s top food cravings during almost

100 days of lockdown, to find out who tops the nation’s list of most-craved foods. Pizza, burgers and sugary treats topped the list of foods we miss the most, with more people searching for PizzaExpress, Burger King and Krispy Kreme than any other UK fast food-chain during lockdown. This is followed by Pizza Hut, Subway, Nando’s and Domino’s. In Liverpool and Manchester, Subway and Domino’s top the list of biggest cravings, and in Glasgow, Burger King and Subway dominated. In Newcastle, Greggs has everyone queuing up for their pastry fix and some vegan sausage rolls! UK Fast Food Capital The dominance of fast food in the UK is highlighted by the growing number of outlets popping up around the country, with data showing an increase of 4,000 fast food outlets in England since 2014. Fast food shops now occupy more than a quarter of all food outlets in the country. While fast food outlets are prevalent throughout the UK, Cardiff has been revealed to be the unhealthiest city with 30 fast food outlets for every 100,000 people. This is approximately 23 more fast food restaurants per 100,000 people than the healthiest city, Sheffield, which has only 6. When it comes to coffee lovers, Cambridge is the coffee capital of the UK with 20 coffee shops per 100,000 people, while Newcastle takes the title as McDonald’s capital with one restaurant for every 19,000 people. Oxford boasts the most pizza restaurants per 100,000 people at 8, while Birmingham is the city with the most Greggs overall.

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Give your home the five-star treatment with these tips from The Cavendish London Hotels are renowned for their luxurious linen, comfy beds and fluffy white towels, but you don’t have to wait until lockdown lifts to experience five-star opulence again.

Mark Hardy, General Manager at The Cavendish London shares his tips on how to add a touch of hotel luxury to your home and recreate some of our favourite hotel experiences at home. Bed of dreams We spend around a third of our lives in bed, so why not make it a good one? To achieve your very own bed of dreams, start by purchasing the perfect mattress. The Cavendish London invests a lot of time in researching and purchasing the right ones for our guests. I would highly recommend memory foam mattresses; they are great for back support and pressure relief. It is really important to rotate your mattress every three months; most mattresses come with care instructions to ensure it lasts and that you continue to have a good night’s rest. When it comes to pillows, I would recommend replacing them regularly to ensure you have the best sleep possible. Depending on the type of pillow, you should look to replace them every one to two years and give them a wash in between. And of course, the pièce de resistance, the bed linen. Nothing beats a neatly tucked bed with hospital corners and crisp white linen. To replicate a hotel bed at home use quality linen with a high thread count. As a general rule of thumb higher end hotels typically use linen with a 250 to 300 thread count. To keep sheets nice and soft, wash them regularly with fabric softener. As a finishing touch, why not add a large quilt across the bottom of your bed? A bed throw is the perfect addition to the hotel.

Contract Beds & Bedding

Hotel-style fluffy towels every time Everyone loves a fluffy white hotel towel, and it is very simple to replicate at home. Firstly, wash your towels regularly and separately from the rest of your laundry. To keep white towels looking bright, I would recommend washing them in hot water with a little bit of bleach. To get that truly fluffy feeling, towels should be dried in a tumble dryer and away from other clothing and make sure they are 100% dry before taking them out. If you can, buy towels made from high-end cotton. Turkish and Egyptian cotton are popular and great for absorbing moisture and drying relatively quickly. Little details for a grand experience When I stay at a property, I always look out for examples of where the hotel has gone out of its way to add a touch more luxury, whether that’s with deluxe bathroom miniatures, a fluffy robe and slippers or a wide tea and coffee selection. One of my favourite ways to add a little extra opulence is to use scented candles or diffusers throughout my home. Each hotel and brand will have their own scent so it can be hard to pin point an exact ‘hotel scent’, but I would recommend using fragrances such as jasmine and pear or rosemary and lavender for a fresh, classic feel. Another way to scent your home is with fresh flowers. They are a great and inexpensive way to add a touch of class to your home, whether it’s a small bunch of seasonal flowers or a bright and extravagant bouquet.

Contract Beds & Bedding

Hypnos’ commitment to carbon neutrality is celebrated with new certification Royal warrant holder and leading sustainable sleep brand, Hypnos, has announced that its decade-long commitment to carbon neutrality and environmentally-friendly product design has been recognised with a prestigious ‘The Planet Mark - Carbon Neutral Certification’. Having been carbon-neutral for over a decade and offset over 9,550 tonnes of carbon along the way, Hypnos has demonstrated its pioneering and longrunning environmental credentials. The ethical company was the first bed manufacturer in the world to have become carbon neutral. Indeed, Hypnos has championed the importance of sustainability and carbon reduction across the bed industry throughout the last decade and is pleased to see a number of other bed brands starting to take their first steps in to becoming carbon neutral. The Planet Mark is committed to the United Nations Decade of Action, which cover everything from sustainable living to climate change and creating a circular economy. The Planet Mark is a highly distinguished sustainability certification for businesses in the UK and internationally, recognising continuous improvements within a company across a wide range of areas including building strong employee engagement to create a sustainable culture. This certification comes shortly after the family-owned British bedmaker announced it had developed an innovative new recyclable, eco-friendly and carbon neutral packaging solution. Made from sugarcane, a renewable and carbon dioxide depleting resource, this new solution will be used for their beds and mattresses across its retail and contract factories, encouraging all bedmakers to adopt this technology to help eliminate plastic waste. When it comes to carbon reduction and tackling its footprint, Hypnos has implemented a range of robust measures. This focuses on using renewable natural resources, and making sure that all its product designs and ethical bed production are focused on low-carbon solutions. Its carbon offsetting and social responsibility programmes include working in the community with local schools and conservation groups, planting trees to sequester carbon and build biodiversity environments.

Contract Beds & Bedding

Richard Naylor, Sustainable Development Director at Hypnos Beds, said: “Our commitment to sustainable sleep is something which affects every single corner of our business. “From our sustainability-led culture, products and operations to working with fully traceable materials and certified farmers and growers in our supply chain, right through to how we actually package our finished products, we’re sustainable in every part of our business and we aim to help set the sustainability standards for the bed industry. “We’re delighted to be able to add The Planet Mark to our list of credentials which we have built throughout our long journey to sustainable sleep. We’ve led the way when it comes to environmentally-friendly bed making for well over a decade and are excited for everything we have planned over the next decade as well.” Steve Malkin, CEO and founder of The Planet Mark, adds: “Understanding and reducing the impact that your business has on the planet is absolutely essential and we know that Hypnos has been unrelenting in its pursuit of truly sustainable beds, delivering outstanding products for both its customers and the planet. “We’re pleased to see such strong commitment to the environment and to social responsibility from a well-known and respected British brand and it’s great to work together to achieve common environmental goals.” For over a decade Hypnos has ensured sustainability infiltrates every area of its business. For that reason, Hypnos’ products are made with 100% natural and sustainable fibres, meaning they’re fully recyclable and don’t end up at landfill sites at the end of their lifetime. In addition, all Hypnos mattresses are free of harmful and allergy-related chemicals – with no use of any any synthetic, chemicalbased foams or memory foams.

Contract Beds & Bedding

Wyndham expands Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham brand in Denmark Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels in 90 countries today announced the expansion of its Dolce by Wyndham brand, with the opening of the 444-room Comwell Copenhagen Portside, Dolce by Wyndham, in the heart of Denmark’s capital. The new hotel marks Wyndham’s second opening in the country in collaboration with award winning Danish hotel chain Comwell Hotels, following the launch of Comwell Aarhus, Dolce by Wyndham announced in 2019. Situated in the vibrant Nordhavnen district, within easy access to popular attractions like The Little Mermaid, Amalienborg palace, and the Tivoli Gardens, Comwell Copenhagen Portside Dolce by Wyndham features captivating architecture inspired by the city’s historical warehouses and boasts sleek Danish interiors. The hotel’s modern facilities include a restaurant, deli, and bar, a rooftop fitness centre, 17 versatile meeting rooms, a co-working area, and two courtyards with lush greenery. One of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ 20 iconic hotel brands, each Dolce by Wyndham hotel is designed to inspire and delight guests by turning experiences into extraordinary moments, and offers state-ofthe-art meeting spaces, curated cuisine, and inspiring activities. The new hotel joins a growing collection of Dolce hotels around the world including other sought-after locations including Greece, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Vietnam, U.S. and more. Dimitris Manikis, President, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA, said: “We are thrilled to build on our fruitful partnership with Comwell Hotels and leverage their strong expertise to further expand our Dolce brand in Denmark. Praised for its culture, global connectivity and culture, Copenhagen is a renowned destination and we are delighted to add this impressive location to our accommodation and meeting options around the world.”

Peter Schelde, Group CEO of Comwell Hotels, added: “We are very proud to be part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Our brand and award-winning concepts are a good match with Dolce by Wyndham. With our new hotel in Denmark’s capital, we can now offer a state-of-the-art hotel filled with Danish design, quality and art in the centre of Copenhagen.” Wyndham’s first hotel in Denmark, Comwell Aarhus, Dolce by Wyndham, opened in September 2019. The 240-room hotel is centrally located in Denmark’s second-largest city, close to the harbor and surrounded by cosy cafes and restaurants, featuring a conference space, restaurant and bar. The hotel offers guests wonderful views of Aarhus, and features stylish and urban décor, furnished by the Danish design company HAY. Comwell Aarhus, Dolce by Wyndham and Comwell Copenhagen Portside, Dolce by Wyndham are both part of a selection of Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham properties currently offering Wyndham’s hybrid meeting concept, created to help drive corporate business demand to its branded hotels. Recognising the need to adapt services to different business requirements, the new proposition includes a blend of conventional meetings with virtual elements to suit new events’ needs. Dolce by Wyndham hotels in Denmark and around the world participate in Wyndham Rewards, the world’s most generous rewards programme with thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide. Designed for the everyday traveller, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide range of rewards, including free nights, gift cards, merchandise and more.

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Industry News

Experience the British Grand Prix at Whittlebury Park Whittlebury Park, the closest hotel to the worldfamous Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, is offering a range of hospitality, camping and accommodation options during this year’s Formula One British Grand Prix, which will take place at the adjacent Silverstone Circuit from the 13th to the 19th July 2021. As well as accommodation in the main hotel, Whittlebury Park is also offering camping accommodation on its 700-acre parkland, to ensure that fans can get as close as possible to the action on race days. Located on flat sites on the hotel’s 36-hole championship golf course, driving range and old cricket pitch and situated less than five minutes’ walk from the track, Whittlebury Park is offering a choice of plots with prices starting from £140 for a seven metre by seven metre plot for six nights. For a relaxing and hassle-free experience, pre-erected glamping tents with everything laid out ready are also available. The campsite will feature a live stage area with beer tent to provide the perfect weekend of entertainment – from live bands, to comedy and quizzes, as well as multiple catering outlets including pizza, pasta, noodles and fish and chips. Guests can also make use of the hotel’s facilities at the Pavilion or Atrium Clubhouse. Whittlebury Park campsite has been awarded a Platinum Campsite rating by Silverstone Circuit. This is the highest possible rating and is reserved for campsites that meet stringent health, safety and welfare standards, and go above and beyond the minimum requirements to ensure that their customers have the best possible campsite experience. Whittlebury Park is a 254-bedroom hotel, with two restaurants (including the 3 AA Rosette Murrays restaurant), extensive conference and meetings facilities, a golf course, leisure club and spa. For more information please see: www.whittlebury.com/leisure/british-grand-prix/

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Reuben Brothers acquire historic Venice hotel and form Global partnership with Baglioni group Reuben Brothers has marked another milestone in their hospitality collection by acquiring one of the most historic and iconic hotels in the centre of Venice, the Baglioni Luna. The c. 90,000 SQF asset dates from the 12th century and is one of the oldest in Venice, with some of the frescos adorning the San Marco Salon deriving from the students of Venice’s foremost 16th century painter Gianbattista Tiepolo. The 5-star 93-room hotel is located 50 meters from Piazza San Marco, in the historic centre, directly facing San Giorgio Island and moments away from the main historic and artistic attractions of Venice. Reuben Brothers and Baglioni Hotels & Resorts entered into a strategic partnership to facilitate the rollout of Baglioni-branded hotels around the world. Part of the agreement foresees the sale and lease back of the iconic Baglioni Hotel Luna which becomes Reuben Brothers’ second hotel investment in Venice, where they also own the recently opened Palazzo Experimental, another boutique property on the Giudecca canal. Refurbishment works already started with the goal of opening the renovated Baglioni during summer. The acquisition is the latest addition to the Reuben’s existing pipeline of hotel investments and developments in Europe, including properties in Capri and Rome in Italy and

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Verbier, Switzerland. In London, the company is represented by the “In & Out Club” on Piccadilly, Great Marlborough St. in Soho and the soon to be launched Mondrian Shoreditch and Curtain Members’ Club. In the US the Reubens’ also recently acquired The Surrey Hotel, the iconic property on New York’s Upper East Side. The expansion will be managed and developed by Patrimonia Real Estate, who also originated and assisted the Reubens on the transaction. Jamie Reuben says, “The acquisition of one of the leading luxury hotels in Venice plays perfectly into our wider strategy and complements our existing portfolio which now also includes the famous La Palma Hotel in Capri. The investment further underlines our belief in the strength of the Venice market. We are also pleased to work with Baglioni Hotels in developing their brand into new markets”. The Baglioni Hotels & Resort was founded in 1974 by Roberto Polito, and represents the only independent luxury Italian hospitality brand with hotels in Rome, Venice, Florence, Punta Ala (Tuscany), London and Maldives.“Baglioni is proud that an important investor such as Reuben Brothers has seen the potential of the Baglioni brand in the luxury hotel market and has showed a strategic alignment with us regarding the future development in Italy and internationally. ” said Guido Polito, Ceo of Baglioni Hotels & Resort.

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When I grow up, I want to be… A Marine Biologist… Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi While adults relax in the spa or laze on the beach, children can release their inner explorer and join Fairmont Maldives’ resident marine biologist on a variety of educational excursions, from coral planting and underwater art, to snorkelling with turtles. Fairmont Maldives is making waves in marine conservation with its ‘Coralarium’ – an underwater art gallery and coral regeneration project. Families can snorkel the Coralarium, which acts as an artificial reef to attract marine life, on daily complimentary tours with the marine biologist, rubbing shoulders with tropical schooling fish, manta rays and even turtles. Snorkel to the manta ray cleaning stations, peppered across the 9km lagoon, to marvel at rays being cleaned by small fish, before planting a piece of coral that can be revisited in years to come. Back on land, the art studio provides a creative space for children to create marine-inspired artwork under the watchful eye of the resident artist – creating a unique souvenir with natural island materials. Rooms start from £660 per night in a Sunrise Beach Villa, including breakfast, Fairmont.com/maldives A Surfer… COMO Uma Canggu, Bali There’s no better place to learn the secrets of surfing than one of Bali’s best breaks – Canggu. Steps from the sea is COMO Uma Canggu, a luxury bolthole and surfer’s paradise, offering an exclusive experience specially designed for younger travellers – Tropicsurf Turtle Club at Play by COMO. This tailored learn-to-surf programme educates children on marine life, the importance of conservation and the safety and physics of surfing in an ocean awareness session, before taking to the Lagoon Pool for a hands-on 30-minute lesson – teaching the basic techniques needed to balance on the board. Budding surfers then take to the beach in search of any hazards, before putting their newfound skills into practice with body surfing in the shallows. When they’re not riding the waves, children can cook Balinese dishes with COMO Uma Canggu’s chefs, create boats on the beach from natural materials, make kites or learn about the traditional Balinese arts at Play by COMO, a creative space dedicated to encourage sensory development, curiosity and imagination.

Tropicsurf Turtle Club is priced at IDR 875,000 (approx. £50) per child. For more information visit comohotels.com/umacanggu A Ballet Dancer… Velaa Private Island, Maldives When at Velaa Private Island, even the littlest guests’ experience surpasses sheer and utter thoughtful luxury. From the moment they are met at the jetty they are handed a personal invitation to the Lha Velaa Kids Club, the phenomenal club that includes state-of-theart facilities including a waterpark designed by the owner’s daughter. If that wasn’t enough, Velaa are proud to host their first ever Heaven on Earth Ballet Week, a festival to celebrate this beautiful art, where kids can learn ballet from not one, but four internationally renowned dancers from the Bolshoi, Mariinsky, San Francisco and American Ballet Theatres. Perfect for the budding ballerina/o, the Ballet Week in February 2021 is a celebration of this beautiful culture and families can enjoy a list of breathtaking performances curated by world-famous dancers Julian MacKay and Xander Parish on a white sand beach. NB. all performances, masterclasses and interviews to be streamed across the resort’s social media platforms. Rates at Velaa private Island start from £2,700 per night for a Beach Villa on a bed and breakfast basis. For further information or to book, please contact reservations@velaaisland.com or call +9606565000. An Explorer… Gennadi Grand Resort, Rhodes Set within a quaint seaside village on the south-eastern coast of Rhodes, Gennadi Grand Resort is a family-friendly paradise with experiences rooted in learning, culture and adventure. Having recently released their new Mini Club programme for 2021 – with activities suitable for children and teenagers from 4-14 years old - parents can relax knowing that their little ones are not only being taken care of, but learning and having fun at the same time. Aspiring chefs can take immersive cooking classes and learn the art of Greek recipes such as Dolmades (Mediterranean stuffed vine leaves) and Galaktoboureko (a tasty Greek custard pie), while those looking for something quirky can try ‘zoo yoga’ or a guided treasure hunt around the resort.

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As part of the Mini Club programme, children will also be taught valuable lessons in recycling, gardening and even the history of the Greek gods. Older children can get active with Aqua gym, water volleyball and water polo in one of Gennadi’s three freshwater swimming pools, before enjoying a range of fun teen nights such as Gennadi’s ‘Teen Choice Awards’ and the farewell ‘Prom Night’ every Saturday. Outside the resort, adventurous families can try mountain biking, horse-riding lessons and guided hiking trips to areas rich in natural beauty, such as Seven Springs or the 600-acre nature reserve of Butterfly Valley. Book by 28th February to receive 20% off flexible rates with the Early Bird Booking Discount. Reservations can be cancelled freeof-charge up to 5 days prior to arrival. For more information please visit www.gennadigrandresort.com An Athlete… Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus Aphrodite Hills Resort, the hilltop eutopia located just outside of Paphos, Cyprus is the perfect place for an active family break in 2021. With a range of family-friendly Holiday Residences – now listed on Homes & Villas by Marriott International, a global collection of premium and luxury private home rentals – visiting Aphrodite Hills is much like visiting a vibrant village, with activities to entice families and travellers of any age. Kids can practice their swing with PGA professionals at the recently refurbished 18-hole, PGA-awarded golf course, or perfect their serve at the Tennis Academy where training is available for all abilities and children as young as 5-years-old. For those looking to get active in nature and take advantage of the breath-taking views, the resort is located by the legendary Aphrodite’s Rock and surrounded by mountainous terrain, ideal for horse-back riding, cycling or hiking. The Children’s Club also offers archery, cycling, swimming, horse-riding lessons and a Pony Club, as well as football coaching at the Aphrodite Hills Dream Team Soccer School. Rates start from $400 (approx. £356) per night for a 3-bedroom superior villa with private pool. Nearest airport, Paphos (15 minute car transfer). For further information or to book, visit www.aphroditehills.com.

Coming up next month in our April Issue, Features on: Commercial Cleaning & Hygiene • Contract Flooring & Surfaces Contract Lighting • Hospitality Technology

‘As per usual we will be running our monthly editorial features on hotel openings, industry news, advice articles and travel locations’ ‘If you would like to send us editorial content to be considered for submission then please send information to carol@warmwelcomemagazine.com. The closing deadline for the April issue is 17th March.’

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