Today’s news in brief – 25/6/24
The Vineyard Hotel in Newbury, Berkshire, has introduced a new outdoor dining venue named OutSide. This addition enhances the hotel’s dining options, complementing The Tasting Room and The Vineyard Restaurant. Inspired by Californian wineries, OutSide offers a relaxed atmosphere with a menu featuring seasonal small plates, tacos, grilled dishes, and a variety of wines. Additionally, the drinks menu includes cocktails and low-alcohol options. The Tasting Room has also launched a new summer menu, curated by Executive Chef Tom Scade, focusing on seasonal flavors and local produce. Highlight dishes include English Pea Tart and Hereford Beef Fillet. The Vineyard Hotel, known for its antique-furnished rooms and event spaces, aims to elevate guest experiences with these new offerings. General Manager Chris Smith expressed excitement about the innovative dining experiences and the commitment to excellence.
Chef Merlin Labron-Johnson is set to relaunch Osip as a restaurant with rooms at a new location near Bruton, Somerset. Moving from Number One Bruton, the new venue, a 16th-century inn, will open in early August and feature four guest rooms. This larger space allows Labron-Johnson to deepen his connection with the land, enhancing the guest experience with a dining area offering views of the garden and fields. The menu will emphasize sustainability, with produce sourced from nearby farms. Notable dishes include herb broth with farm vegetables and potato brioche with lamb fat. The beverage list features wines from sustainable growers and in-house crafted drinks. Labron-Johnson aims to provide a dynamic dining experience, reflecting changes in light, season, and time.
Dorsett Hospitality International, led by Winnie Chiu, concluded the National Women’s Enterprise Week by announcing the winners of the Women’s Launch Lab incubator programme. Jenny Wordsworth of OVUM and Beatrice Larkin of Beatrice Larkin were awarded £5,000 each to advance their businesses. OVUM focuses on improving fertility care with a patented preconception supplement, while Larkin, a textile designer, specializes in luxury fabrics. The winners were selected from ten finalists who pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, including business leaders and entrepreneurs. The programme, hosted at the British Library Business and IP Centre, saw a 30% increase in applicants, reflecting its growing impact on supporting women-led businesses.
Covivio has signed a memorandum of understanding with AccorInvest to consolidate ownership of hotel operating and property companies. Covivio Hotels will acquire 24 hotel operating companies, while transferring 10 property companies to AccorInvest. The transaction values the assets transferred to AccorInvest at €208m (£176m) and the operating companies acquired by Covivio Hotels at €266m (£225m). The deal, expected to close in late 2024, will allow Covivio to strengthen its presence in major tourist areas and leverage its real estate and hotel expertise. Some hotels will continue under Accor brands, while others will be rebranded, enhancing Covivio’s growth potential in the hotel sector.
