All the latest from both regions WHATLEY MANOR WINS VISIONARY INITIATIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD PoB Hotels continues to advance its sustainability mission in collaboration with EarthCheck, a leading scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for the travel and tourism industry. The hotel brand is proud to announce that it has achieved a prestigious silver certification from EarthCheck, symbolizing its unwavering dedication to sustainability and responsible travel. This achievement underscores PoB Hotels’ commitment to advocating sustainable practices across its array of hotels in the United Kingdom. In a recent survey conducted by PoB Hotels, it was revealed that a substantial 50% of its member hotels have identified sustainability initiatives as a top priority for the upcoming year. This significant percentage reflects their strong commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. Furthermore, an impressive 30% of its member hotels have taken proactive measures by enrolling in sustainability accreditation programmes, enabling them to quantitatively assess their environmental impact and track their progress in adopting best practices for the environment. Sustainability is not only a priority for PoB Hotels’ members but also resonates with their esteemed guests and dedicated staff. A remarkable 45% of PoB Hotels’ members acknowledge that sustainability holds great importance for their valued guests, while 40% emphasize its significance for their loyal and hardworking staff. This collective recognition highlights the shared focus on critical areas such as community support, carbon footprint reduction, resource conservation, adherence to social responsibility principles, and ensuring long-term economic viability. Each year, PoB Hotels meticulously assesses its member hotels through an annual mystery guest inspection process, culminating in the prestigious recognition of three special categories. These awards are unveiled with great anticipation at the annual conference, serving as a remarkable opportunity for members to not only celebrate their achievements but also inspire one another. This year, the deserving winners included Sue Williams at Whatley Manor in Malmesbury, Wiltshire who won the Visionary Initiative Excellence Award which recognises an individual or team who has gone above and beyond to show initiative and make a difference outside of the day-to-day business of their hotel. Whether this be by benefiting the local community, encouraging sustainable practices, or supporting the hospitality industry, this award celebrates what members do over and above their everyday roles. Sue Williams, one of the most well-respected hoteliers in the UK, has tirelessly campaigned for increased sustainability in UK hotels for almost a decade, generating tangible results across the sector, and inspiring both colleagues and guests along the way. Having recently stepped down from her role as GM of Whatley Manor now is the perfect time to celebrate Sue’s achievements, from winning a Catey for Whatley Manor’s sustainability achievements, to steering the PoB Hotels board as Chairman from 2020 to 2022, always championing environmental goals both for the brand and each member. To find out more about weddings at the property, visit https://pobhotels.com/hotel/whatley-manor-hotel-spa NEWS Nearlywed GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL VOTED SECOND MOST POPULAR REGISTRY OFFICE Gloucestershire’s Cheltenham Town Hall has been voted the second most popular register office according to a new analysis by engagement and wedding ring experts at Queensmith. Register office weddings have emerged as an increasingly cost-effective choice for couples looking to get married. With a surge in searches for register office wedding venues up by 800%, the growing appeal of these non-traditional ceremonies is clear. Having analysed average monthly Google searches, Instagram hashtags and TikTok views, engagement and wedding experts at Queensmith have revealed the top 20 best register offices with Gloucestershire’s Cheltenham Town Hall coming a close second behind Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham, London. With a remarkable 11,500 Google searches, the most searched register office in the UK, Cheltenham Town Hall also has a strong social media presence featuring 11,313 TikTok videos and 2,977 Instagram pictures posted. Adele Narcisi, gemmologist and ring expert at Queensmith says: “Register office weddings have grown increasingly popular in the past year. They are an excellent choice for couples seeking a straightforward means of formalising their marriage, whether as a prelude to another ceremony or celebration such as a wedding abroad or if they simply wish to commemorate their commitment to each other in a more low-key manner.” To find out more about weddings at Cheltenham Town Hall, visit https://cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/hire-us and to shop for rings, visit www.queensmith.co.uk LOCAL NEWS 9 EDITOR’S FAVOURITE I’ll be drinking Cotswold Cloudy Christmas Gin this Xmas and New Year. It’s made with a combination of nine botanicals, with a festive core of clementine and piney juniper alongside the likes of cardamom, lavender, grapefruit, bay leaf, black pepper, coriander, and angelica. As with the classic Cotswolds Dry Gin, the distillers use plenty of botanicals, meaning the gin has a lot of botanical oils in it, so when it’s mixed with gin, it’ll turn cloudy. It’s priced at £34.95 for 70cl and available from www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/products/cotswolds-dry-gin www.gettyimages.co.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=