MACDONALD HOTELS & RESORTS BREW UP A COFFEE PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE 15,000 SCHOOL MEALS Independent hospitality group, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts with properties in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, has funded 15,000 school meals for children in countries including Kenya as part of an innovative new partnership with direct trade coffee producers Paddy & Scott’s. The Lunch Box programme by Paddy & Scott’s is a pioneering project designed to fund meals for children living in coffee-growing regions worldwide. As part of the partnership, Lunch Box coffee is served in all of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts’ 32 properties throughout the UK, with guests able to support this charitable effort by enjoying breakfast, afternoon tea or a light refreshment in the hotel of their choice. Each bag of coffee funds a meal for a child in Kenya as part of The Muchomba Project, and other coffee-growing regions around the world. Michael Savage, head of energy and sustainability at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, said: “Paddy & Scott’s work to support communities aligns seamlessly with our values, and we’re proud to now stock Lunch Box coffee in all our properties throughout the UK. By doing this, we can make a real difference and change young people’s lives in the locations where our coffee is sourced. Joseph Cordy, head of commercial at Paddy & Scott’s said, “We are thrilled to partner with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. When two companies come together with the same values and drive to do more to improve the planet and support communities in coffee-growing regions, incredible things happen. This partnership presents an opportunity to feature one of our distinguished coffee blends, Lunch Box, enhancing the luxury experience for customers across more than 32 sites.” Joseph adds, “With each purchase, a school meal is provided for a child in need, allowing them to focus on their studies without the worry of where their next meal will come from. We use a blend of our finest beans to produce a premium-quality espresso, creating a beautiful crema and delicious taste for all to enjoy.” For more information, visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk and to find out more about weddings visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/windsor; www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/compleat-angler and www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/berystede All the latest from around the regions NEWS Nearlywed HOLIDAY INN OXFORD UNVEILS £12 MILLION EXTENSION BLOCK WITH NEW BEDROOMS, MEETING ROOM AND A LOCALLY INSPIRED MURAL BY CHRISSY GRAINGER The Holiday Inn Oxford has unveiled a £12 million extension block including 66 additional bedrooms, new meeting facilities and a locally inspired mural in the courtyard. The extension block features a reception area and check-in desk for full on-site support for guests. The homely new bedrooms boast modern interiors and amenities with calming neutral colours plus warm pops of colour and locally inspired artwork. There is space to relax or work with a comfortable sofa and spacious desk, with many rooms featuring scenic green views. Family and accessible rooms are also available. The new meeting and event room can be adapted for a wide range of business or social occasions with space for 100 guests with the latest audio-visual equipment, full catering and on-site parking. Guests can discover a bespoke mural in the extension block courtyard, designed by local artist Chrissy Grainger from Indigo Art, with inspiration drawn from a wide range of blockbuster films shot nearby in the historic city. The colourful and vibrant abstract piece features key details from iconic movies including Harry Potter, X-Men: First Class, Saving Private Ryan, Brideshead Revisited, 102 Dalmatians, The Italian Job, A Fish Called Wanda and Howards End. Eagle-eyed movie buffs can enjoy spotting and linking the artist’s impression references to their favourite films and visiting the nearby locations where they were shot. Gavin Webster, general manager commented: “We are delighted to unveil this new extension block, it blends seamlessly with the rest of the upgraded hotel with thoughtful design elements, both practical and visual. We have invested greatly and spared no expense to ensure we deliver the best possible facilities for our growing guests, for now and many years. An important aspect was to showcase Oxford in the best possible light to our visitors with locally inspired artwork and a commissioned mural to reflect the cultural significance of this influential and unique city.” Following the recent successful Open Lobby refurbishment in the main building, the additional investment to the extension block will greatly expand the hotel’s services, allowing them to cater for the growing demand of tourists and business needs in Oxford. According to the Oxford Council, Oxford tourism numbers recorded last summer were at a staggering 8.5 million, which has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. In line with this, the area of North Oxford has ample developments in the pipeline plus exciting new cultural offerings including a new music festival this September in Banbury. In addition, the local ‘Oxford North Project’ is well underway which will include new workspaces and labs for biomedical science, 480 new homes, public parks, shops, restaurants and much more attracting greater numbers to the area. The Holiday Inn Oxford is ideally located, close to the city centre and within easy access to Oxford Parkway train station for direct links to London and designer outlet shopping at Bicester Village Retail Park. Popular nearby attractions include The University of Oxford’s historic buildings, the Ashmolean Museum, birthplace of Winston Churchill and baroque Blenheim Palace which is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Holiday Inn Oxford offers on-site parking, high-speed complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and a popular restaurant. The hotel is family friendly, where children can stay and eat for free. The hotel is well-equipped to host meetings and events with 11 modern meeting rooms across the Academy Conference Centre. For more information visit www.lghhm.com 9 LOCAL NEWS
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