Hotel Du Vin reveals fresh new menus

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:44:52 GMT

Hotel du Vin has announced the launch of a new lunch menu and a revised à la carte menu.

The new lunch menu offers one, two or three courses, as well as a selection of salads, sandwiches and tartines, giving diners the flexibility to enjoy Hotel du Vin’s delicious cuisine even when time is short.

The new à la carte menu retains its great grill section with delicious dry aged steaks that have been matured for at least 28 days, but returns to the classics of French bistro dining in its choices for all courses. On the reverse of the à la carte menu Hotel du Vin's Wine and Spirit Director Ronan Sayburn has hand-picked a selection of eighty great wines for all palates and purses. This allows the diner to make a quicker wine choice if desired, but the full Hotel du Vin expansive wine list of 500 vintages is still available to choose from. The new dessert menu also helpfully suggests wine or digestif pairings.

Signature dishes for the new menu are as follows:

To start: French Onion Soup and Chicken Liver Parfait, Toasted Brioche, Raisin Chutney
Main Course: Moules du Vin, Frites, Lemon Sole Meunière, Normandy Chicken
Dessert: Baba au Rhum, Chocolate Pavé

Commenting on the new menu, Gary Davis, CEO of Hotel du Vin and Malmaison boutique hotels said: "We're really pleased with the new menus. Not only are we returning to the original spirit of Hotel du Vin, in offering an authentic taste of the finest French bistro food, but we're also adding a quick and affordable lunch choice, which we feel chimes with the spirit of the times."

Excluding One Devonshire Gardens, the new menus can be enjoyed at all of Hotel Du Vin's UK properties, including its restaurants in Birmingham, Glasgow restaurants and restaurants in Harrogate.

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About Hotel Du Vin:
Hotel du Vin combines an elegant and unpretentious style with an unquestionable devotion to wine. The luxury hotel offers fourteen converted spaces, including a Georgian townhouse, a brewery, and a hospital, all eclectically furnished in a timeless manner. Guests can enjoy a trademark hotel bistro serving outstanding, locally sourced produce from its new home grown and local menu, an outstanding cellar, Egyptian linen and monsoon showers in the guest rooms, a Laroche tasting room for the wine-lover, a cigar shack in its gardens, and inspiring original art in its halls.

Malmaison launches a new menu at its brasseries

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:49:53 GMT

Malmaison, a luxury boutique hotel brand in the UK, has announced the launch of a new menu at its brasseries, as well as updated bar and room service menus.

The menu includes an array of starters that feature seasonal offerings, such as the Scotch quail egg and bacon salad with a piccalilli vinaigrette and the 'From the shore' smoked salmon blini, creme fraiche and caviar.

In addition to the new starters, the Malmaison hotel restaurants offer an array of heartily portioned mains, including six different choices from the grill. In keeping with the overall quality of the menu, all of the beef on offer is naturally reared, grass-fed and dry-aged on the bone for a minimum of twenty eight days.

Vegetarians and seafood fans aren't without options either. The new menu also includes a risotto primavera with young fresh vegetables and a hefty sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Seafood options include the yellow fin tuna steak and the salmon fish cake with spinach and parsley sauce.

Emma Benney, Group Marketing Director, said: "We are delighted with the new menu. It's a return to the Malmaison classics, with a few new ones which are already becoming hot favourites. There's a great selection, something for everyone. I personally recommend the Chicken Skewers and of course The Mal burger."

The updated bar menu features a new wine list, headed-up by world renowned sommelier Johnny Walker. Every Malmaison bar also regularly hosts 'Vino Voyages' for wine enthusiasts and occasional wine drinkers alike. These events are presented by guest wine producers and include a large sit-down feast matched with various wines.

Another component of the new bar menu is the cocktail list, which features exotic mixed drinks like the Blackforest Martini as well as classics like the Tom Collins.

Also on offer for Spring 2012 is a new dessert menu, which includes a baked New York cheesecake with blueberries, an array of ice cream sundaes, a Valrhona chocolate tart and a classic vanilla crème brulee. The dessert menu also features an artisan cheese slate with crackers and chutney and an iced fresh fruit plate for those looking for something a bit lighter.

Guests at the brasseries can choose from a range of liqueurs and rich ports to enjoy with their desserts. Also paired well with dessert is the Irish coffee, the French coffee and the Espresso Martini.

The room service menu has also been upgraded to reflect the fresh ingredients of the season. It includes a range of starters, salads and mains, many of which are exclusive only to room service. The menu also offers a selection of sandwiches, the ideal option for guests wanting a light lunch. Catering to guests' late-night cravings, the room service menu also features some 'Midnight Munchies', such as the British classic, beans on toast.

About Malmaison:
Malmaison offers twelve boutique luxury hotels in the UK, all featuring super slinky rooms and suites, with super-fast broadband. Guests can enjoy visiting the high-octane bars stocked with cocktails and bubbly within the hotels and can dine on the best local produce in the hotel restaurants. In addition to restaurants in London, Malmaison's portfolio also includes Glasgow restaurants and restaurants in Liverpool.

National Trust MyFarm experiment to go free

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:26:22 GMT

The National Trust has announced that one year on from the launch of its innovative and award-winning MyFarm project, the charity is dropping the £30 sign-up fee in a bid to widen its success and inspire even more people to engage with farming and food.

The experiment - based at the Trust's 1,450 acre Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire - was launched last May to encourage people to learn about day-to-day farm life and get a better understanding of where their food comes from.

The virtual farmers are able to view day-to-day farm activities via blogs from the farm team, videos and live webcams. Significantly they can also influence what happens on the farm by voting on key decisions usually made by the farmer.

As the project moves into year two, the team behind the project are seeking to increase the number of people who take part in MyFarm, and cover a wider range of food topics.

Farm Manager Richard Morris said: "We've learnt a lot from our 5,000-strong audience over the last 12 months, especially how interested people are in following and finding out about the day-to-day running of the farm.

"The experiment has helped us deepen people's understanding of the challenges faced by farmers in the wider market place including the European and World markets, and enabled those involved to comment on a wide range of farming issues.

"It's been the animal stories that have really captured the public's hearts - both births and deaths. MyFarmers have also loved getting to know the farm team, the rare breed animals kept at Wimpole and the monthly votes which explore one particular aspect of farming in more depth, with the majority vote then carried out on the farm."

The National Trust is the country's biggest farmer and through MyFarm hopes to help people understand the issues facing farming today, the numerous and daily decisions farmers have to make, as well as the joy and the heartache which is part and parcel of farm life.

As part of the changes the Trust will also now host the experiment on its own website rather than the current microsite. It will also make broader use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to interact with users and to encourage further discussion on food and farming issues.

Founding Farmers - those who joined in the first year - will be invited to continue as ambassadors on these platforms to encourage more people to join in; sharing the journeys they have been on over the last 12 months.

MyFarm Project Manager Andrew Cock-Starkey added: "Our members come from all over the world as well as from the UK and after a successful first year we believe we’ve established a clear demand for this kind of learning. Now we want to reach even more people and build a broader understanding of farming.

"Waiving the membership fee will, we hope, help us reach a much wider audience, as will ensuring we have appealing content for users of different ages across various platforms."

Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union Meurig Raymond said: "This project is an effective and fun way of engaging people in farming and the hard work and skill that goes into producing food for their table. With more and more people using social media to communicate, share views and influence decisions MyFarm also tackles some of the more serious issues and involves its supporters in the day-to-day running of a real-life farm."

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About National Trust:
The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 710 miles of coastline and hundreds of historic places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for family days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

PruHealth reveals Brits are eating less healthily due to rising living costs

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:09:54 GMT

PruHealth has announced that, according to its recent study, every one in five Brits (22%) is eating less healthily due to the rising cost of living.

With the UK dipping back into recession and food inflation on the rise, new data from PruHealth, the health insurance provider that rewards healthy behaviour, finds the continuing rise in cost of living means that 10.6 million Brits are not eating as healthily as they would like to and over half (52%) believe their health has suffered as a result of the recession.

The study, which ran at the start of the financial downturn in 2008 and again this year, highlights the nation's health is sinking further into the doldrums in terms of its eating habits.

Over the last four years 75% of Brits have changed their eating and shopping habits and 85% of these stated the recession and or rising food prices as the cause for the change.

The 'five-a-day' mantra is one of the most high profile Government health campaigns, but the number of Brits struggling to reach the recommended target has increased by 26%. Three fifths (59%) admit they are currently finding it a challenge compared to 47% at the start of the recession in 2008.

More than two thirds (68%) of Brits say healthier foods tend to be more expensive. One in six (16%) respondents said they're buying as much as they can that is 'reduced to clear' and one in ten (11%) only buy foods that are on special offer. Worryingly, around one in four (24%) Brits say they regularly take vitamin supplements because they are unable to eat as healthily as they like or to supplement their diet.

Naturally most parents want to put their children's health first and ensure they have a nutritionally balanced diet, but almost one in five (18%) are doing this at the expense of their own health. One in ten (9%) are even skipping meals so their children eat well.

Dr Dawn Richards, Head of Clinical Service at PruHealth, commented: "We can clearly see how people's healthy eating habits have been affected, with the picture having got significantly worse since the start of the economic downturn. People are only too well aware of the need to eat healthily, but financial constraints are making it difficult, resulting in people's health being negatively affected."

Notes to editors:
2012 data - On behalf of PruHealth, OnePoll carried out an online survey among a nationally representative sample of 2000 people in March 2012. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population.

2008 data - On behalf of PruHealthby Ipsos MORI carried out an online survey among a nationally representative sample of 3,034 GB adults in July 2008. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population.

The information contained in this press release is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions. Full consumer product information can be found at www.pruhealth.co.uk

About PruHealth:
PruHealth was launched into the UK market in October 2004 as a joint venture between Discovery and UK insurer, Prudential, in response to a growing need for consumer-directed private medical insurance products.

PruHealth has received several industry awards, including the Most Innovative New Product, Health Insurance Awards 2011, Most Trusted PMI Provider at the 2010 Moneywise Awards, the Best PMI Provider at the 2009 Moneyfacts Awards, Best use of Marketing to Intermediaries (Brokers) at the 2011 Health Insurance awards and the award for the Best Individual PMI provider at the 2010 Health Insurance Awards and 2010 Cover Excellence awards.

PruHealth Vitality is PruHealth's proven wellness programme that allows all members to get and stay healthy through a range of tools and discounts.

Radisson Blu Resort El Quseir launches additional upgrades for guests

Wed, 02 May 2012 16:31:20 GMT

Radisson Blu Resort El Quseir has launched additional upgrades for its guests, including improvements to Wi-Fi access, food and beverage services and room amenities. The upgrade was carried out by the hotel's new management team with the aim of increasing guest satisfaction.

The new management team is headed by General Manager Mohamad Yassine. It's supported by Taha Mansour, Front Office Manager, Carola Pawlowitz, Head of German Guest Relations, Ahmed Shawki, IT Manager, Sameh Salib, Food and Beverage Manager, and Nagham Mohamed, Director of Sales and Marketing.

The new team has managed to increase guest satisfaction by reinforcing implementation of all Radisson Blu standards, such ensuring all rooms and public areas have free high-speed Wi-Fi connections and upgrading all food and beverage buffets, including the Super Breakfast.

In addition to the new upgrades of the hotel El Quseir, two new room categories have been created to offer extra services and relaxation for the hotel guests.

The new rooms are:
- A Family room that offers fantastic views of the gardens as well as one queen-sized bed in the master bedroom and twin beds in the second bedroom. The room also includes special kid's amenities, and a DVD player. The room can accommodate up to 6 guests.

- A Marine Club room, offering outstanding views of the Red Sea paired with first-class amenities. Marine Club Room amenities include bathrobes and slippers, a flat-panel LCD television and free high-speed, wireless Internet access.

The upgrade also includes a full refurbishment of all rooms, including new lighting and the introduction of coffee and tea facilities in all rooms.

Also improved are the hotel's food and beverage offerings. The hotel has added a new Jetty Lounge bar directly at the beach, serving a Lebanese and Thai fusion menu conceived by its two Thai chefs.

The newly upgraded Red Sea hotel offers first-class service and facilities with 250 comfortable rooms and suites. It is one of the hotels in El Quseir that's situated directly on the sea, with its own private beach.

In addition to the upgrades, guests can enjoy existing facilities such as the Balinese Spa Rejuvenating Center and state of the art conference and meeting spaces. Guest can also enjoy the Subex El Quseir diving center, located at the southern end of the resort.

About the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group:
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group - born in early 2012 - is one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups. The portfolio of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group includes more than 1,300 hotels, including accommodation El Quseir; a global footprint spanning 80 countries, a powerful set of global brands (Radisson Blu, Radisson, Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Missoni and Park Plaza). In most of the group’s hotels, guests can benefit from the loyalty program Club Carlson, one of the most rewarding loyalty programs in the world. The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and its brands employ more than 80,000 people.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is headquartered in Minneapolis, and Brussels, Belgium.

Jumeirah Group appoints Nicholas Clayton as Chief Operating Officer

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:25:20 GMT

Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, announces the appointment of Nicholas Clayton as Chief Operating Officer and the retirement of Guy Crawford as Chief Executive Officer.

Nicholas Clayton joins Jumeirah Group from the Viceroy Hotel Group where he was President and later CEO. In that role he led a team of 3,500 colleagues in 15 properties to deliver the highest standards of excellence. Previously Nicholas Clayton spent 14 years with Ritz-Carlton in their businesses in the United States, Australia and finally Singapore where he was Managing Director of the Ritz-Carlton Millenia. He then joined Mandarin Oriental in 2001 as Senior Vice President Operations based in Hong Kong. He was responsible for the group's 18 Asian and European properties and a staff of over 9,000 as well as the Food and Beverage and Spa divisions globally.

At the same time, Jumeirah Group is also announcing the planned retirement in June 2012 of Guy Crawford, the company's Chief Executive Officer. In his 10 years with the company, Guy Crawford has helped build Jumeirah into one of the most successful global luxury hospitality brands, recording consistently high levels of profitable growth and outperforming the market both commercially and in terms of guest satisfaction. In that time the company has grown into a portfolio of 20 luxury five star hotels and hotel residences with a portfolio of other profitable businesses including restaurants, spas, water parks and the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.

Commenting on the senior management changes, Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless said: "We are immensely grateful to Guy Crawford for his tireless and energetic contribution to Jumeirah. He will leave behind an enduring memory of his tremendous passion for the business as well as a huge appetite for the unexpected challenge. We wish Guy and his family every happiness for the future.

"The company is also delighted to welcome Nicholas Clayton as Chief Operating Officer. He comes at a time of significant expansion with the company doubling the number of hotels under management from 2011 to 2012 and now having a presence in 11 countries round the globe. His experience and leadership skills will help steer the company towards continued success and profitable growth in key markets."

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About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates some of the world's best hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi; Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah hotel in Dubai; Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany; Jumeirah Grand Hotel via Veneto in Rome; Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah in Istanbul; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London and Jumeirah Essex House luxury international hotel in New York. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme. www.jumeirah.com

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts announces two senior management appointments

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:41:19 GMT

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, the UK's largest privately owned hotel group, with a portfolio of over forty-five 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts throughout the UK and Spain, has announced two new appointments to its senior management team: Debbie Milburn joins the group as Head of Marketing and Stephen Dodman joins as Revenue Director.

Stephen joins Macdonald Hotels & Resorts to oversee all revenue management, including distribution and pricing. His appointment follows several years spent with von Essen Hotels where he was most recently Sales & Marketing Director. Previously, Stephen spent 17 years working in several positions within the DeVere Group, including roles as Brand Revenue Manager and General Manager.

Debbie Milburn brings with her over 8 years' experience in the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry and was most recently Director of Marketing for QHotels. Throughout her career, she has held senior marketing positions within a number of hotel groups, achieving success across off and online leisure and conference-focused marketing campaigns. In 2011, she won a marketing award for the QConferences dedicated website and helped QHotels achieve AA Eco Hotel Group of the Year.

Ruaridh Macdonald, Sales & Marketing Director at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, said: "Debbie and Stephen bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles within Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. These important positions will help further drive the brand forward as we continue to consolidate our position in the premium 4 and 5-star star markets and build our national and international presence in the conference and leisure sectors."

Debbie added: "Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has an excellent reputation and I'm proud to be joining the team. I've always admired and regularly followed the company's approach and commitment to delivering the highest levels of customer service. I now relish the opportunity to build the brand further and develop new initiatives to target the leisure and conference markets across a diverse and discerning portfolio of hotels and resorts."

Referring to his own role, Stephen said: "Joining Macdonald Hotels & Resorts as Revenue Director offers an excellent opportunity to further enhance the effectiveness of revenue management processes and policies within a highly motivated and positive team environment. I feel very proud to be part of the group and very much look forward to embracing the opportunities and challenges ahead."

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About Macdonald Hotels & Resorts:
First established in 1990 by Donald Macdonald and colleagues Macdonald Hotels & Resorts operates over 40 hotels across the UK, including Manchester hotels, Bath hotels, Windsor hotels and Oxford hotels, as well as ten resorts throughout the UK and Spain. Macdonald Hotels employs over 4,400 staff and operates in excess of 4,500 hotel rooms. Its focus is on developing its strong portfolio of four and five star hotels, with each offering its own character and individuality underpinned with the quality and attention to detail expected of the Macdonald brand. In particular, the company prides itself on the seasonality and provenance of its food within the hotels, from breakfast through to dinner, as well as its wide range of specially selected wines. As testament to the excellent level of service the Group provides, it has on numerous occasions won several prestigious accolades, most notably the AA Hotel Group of the Year 2007-08 and the National Customer Service Awards for Leisure and Tourism.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Nice reveals new menu and additional services

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:07:11 GMT

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice has revealed its new lunch menu at its "La Terrasse" on-site restaurant. The menu offers a large selection of salads, sandwiches, cold soup, desserts with fruits and makes use of the restaurant's Italian ice-making machine.

The new menu was created by Olivier Garrivier who took the position of Head Chef at "La Terrasse" on the 1st of April. For him, it's important to make the best Mediterranean food to satisfy guests at the hotel in Nice.

He said: "We are very pleased with the new menu, which is made with the best fresh ingredients in the district."

For dinner, the restaurant has introduced a new concept. A starters and desserts buffet is offered with a large selection of seasonal products and Mediterranean flavours, including delicious grilled meat and fish. The pool bar and lounge invites customers to enjoy delicious cocktails in a wonderful location overlooking the Bay of Nice.

April is also the opening of the hotel's private beach, "Régence Plage by Radisson Blu" for the summer season. Located just in front of the hotel and fully renovated, the beach offers guests the chance to discover delightful local cuisine in a stunning locale.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Nice has also announced the launch of a shuttle service, carrying passengers from the hotel to the historic Nice city center. The service runs from April until the end of summer.

The Nice accommodation offers 331 rooms and suites.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group:
In January 2012, Carlson Hotels and Rezidor have announced that they will go to market and do business as the "Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group".

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group - born in early 2012 - is one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups. The portfolio of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group includes more than 1,300 hotels, including hotels in Nice; a global footprint spanning 80 countries, a powerful set of global brands (Radisson Blu, Radisson, Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Missoni and Park Plaza). In most of the group’s hotels, guests can benefit from the loyalty program Club Carlson, one of the most rewarding loyalty programs in the world. The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and its brands employ more than 80,000 people.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is headquartered in Minneapolis, and Brussels, Belgium.

Whitbread Plc. brings £3.7 million investment to Kidderminster

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:06:30 GMT

Whitbread Plc. is to open its brand new Premier Inn hotel in Kidderminster. The property will contribute over £3.7 million to the local economy whilst creating 26 new jobs for the residents of Kidderminster and surrounding areas.

The brand new 56 bedroom hotel is a beautiful converted mill situated on Weavers Wharf. Within walking distance from some of the town’s greatest shops and just a short drive to Harvington Hall manor house and West Midlands Safari Park, the new hotel is perfectly situated for those after a spot of shopping and culture.

Sarah Hall, General Manager of Premier Inn Kidderminster commented: "We are delighted to bring a new Premier Inn to the heart of Kidderminster and look forward to welcoming our guests to enjoy a night’s stay with us. Our hotel is perfectly situated for both leisure and business travellers looking for good value accommodation that doesn’t compromise on quality."

Each bedroom caters for up to two adults and two children (aged 15 and under) and includes an en-suite bathroom; a king size bed; remote control TV with Freeview; tea/coffee making facilities, and a spacious desk area with Wi-Fi Internet access. The site will also offer the 'Premier Breakfast' in the onsite The Kitchen restaurant.

Premier Inn offers all guests a no quibble 'Good Night Guarantee', which means if customers are not 100% satisfied with their stay they will get their money back.

With over 600 hotels nationwide, Premier Inn is at more locations than any other hotel chain in the UK with rooms. More information can be found at www.premierinn.com.

About Premier Inn
Award-winning Premier Inn is the UK's best value hotel brand with over 600 budget hotels and more than 46,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland, including hotels in Kidderminster. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms, TV with Freeview, and Wi-Fi internet access. All Premier Inns feature a bar and restaurant; situated inside the hotel or adjacent, offering a wide range of food choices.

In 2008 Premier Inn launched in Dubai and is now open in Bangalore, India. On a domestic front, Premier Inn aims to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London (within the M25) by 2012.

Premier Inn supports WaterAid, the international charity whose mission is to overcome poverty by enabling the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. Premier Inn, as part of Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, has raised over £1 million for WaterAid.

Premier Inn brings £12 million to the most central London site to date

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:56:13 GMT

Premier Inn, the UK’s best value hotel chain*, is expanding its London portfolio of hotels with a new site in the heart of London. The new hotel in Leicester Square will bring a total of £12 million to the local economy through tourism and trade.

The new 83 room hotel is just one of twenty new sites opening across London in the next 24 months, which is a part of Premier Inn’s plans to grow to 65,000 rooms within the next 5 years.

Located at 1 Leicester Place, the hotel is in the heart of Central London, within walking distance of many popular theatres, shops and London Tourist attractions such as The National Portrait Gallery and Covent Garden.

The new site which will open at the end of May has created 32 job opportunities for London residents, and is a leader in innovation with double soundproofing that ensures sleeping guests are not disturbed by action outside the hotel.

Mina Fattahi, General Manager of Premier Inn Leicester Square commented: "We are delighted to be opening a new hotel in the heart of London. Our hotel is in a prime location for those wanting to explore London, and within walking distance of many tourist attractions. It's ideal for those wanting to be right at the centre of activity and our double sound proof rooms ensure that no matter the hustle and bustle outside, guests are guaranteed a great night's sleep."

Premier Inn offers all guests a no quibble 'Good Night Guarantee', which means if customers are not 100% satisfied with their stay they will get their money back.

Rooms are now available to book at www.premierinn.com

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Notes to Editors:
*Best Value Hotels in the UK: Research conducted by YouGov found Premier Inn top in BrandIndex Value measure when reviewing all data between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011. All data was collected using an online survey and respondents were members of the YouGov panel. The 21,383 strong research sample for this study was sampled and weighted to a UK nationally representative 18+ adult profile. Fieldwork was conducted daily between 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

About Premier Inn:
Award-winning Premier Inn is the UK's best value hotel brand with over 600 budget hotels and more than 46,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland, including hotels near Leicester Square. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms, TV with Freeview, and Wi-Fi internet access. All Premier Inns feature a bar and restaurant; situated inside the hotel or adjacent, offering a wide range of food choices.

Premier Inn is open in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and India. On a domestic front, Premier Inn aims to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London (within the M25) by 2012.

Whitbread Plc. to open new Premier Inn in Ealing

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:45:29 GMT

Whitbread PLC is to open its brand new Premier Inn hotel in London Ealing on 3rd May 2012. The property will contribute over £10.7 million to the local economy whilst creating 47 new jobs for the residents of Ealing and surrounding areas.

The brand new 165 bedroom hotel is situated on Uxbridge Road. Home to Ealing Broadway's shopping centre, Ealing Town Hall, Ealing Common and plenty of restaurants, it is the perfect spot for some shopping and culture. In the surrounding area is PM Gallery and House, Ealing's flagship cultural venue, and just a short drive away is the iconic Wembley Stadium. There is also easy access into central London from the nearby stations.

The new hotel is ideal for travellers being located in walking distance to several stations, the shopping plazas, restaurants, and large open parks. Its location in West London is perfect for travellers looking for accommodation ahead of events at Wembley and Excel.

David Groves, General Manager of Premier Inn London Ealing, commented: "The hotel is ideally located for those looking for a great value weekend break as the area has so much to offer. It will also be extremely convenient for business travellers looking for accommodation in the town centre."

Premier Inn offers all guests a no quibble 'Good Night Guarantee' which means if customers are not 100% satisfied with their stay they will get their money back.

With over 600 hotels nationwide, Premier Inn is at more locations than any other hotel chain in the UK. More information can be found at www.premierinn.com.

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About Premier Inn:
Award-winning Premier Inn is the UK's best value hotel brand with over 600 budget hotels and more than 46,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland, including hotels in Ealing. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms, TV with Freeview, and WiFi internet access. All Premier Inns feature a bar and restaurant; situated inside the hotel or adjacent, offering a wide range of food choices.

In 2008 Premier Inn launched in Dubai and is now open in Bangalore, India. On a domestic front, Premier Inn aims to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London (within the M25) by 2012.

Whitbread Plc. brings over £1.7 million to Llanelli

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:59:22 GMT

Whitbread Plc. has opened a brand new Premier Inn hotel in Llanelli. The property will contribute over £1.7 million to the local economy whilst creating 35 new jobs for Llanelli residents. This hotel is the second Premier Inn to open in the area due to an increased demand for rooms.

The brand new 28 bedroom hotel is situated on Sandpiper Road in Llanelli and has been built adjacent to the existing Sandpiper Brewers Fayre restaurant. Guests will be able to experience all the local attractions Llanelli has to offer such Pembrey Country Park and the Millennium Costal Path, offering great views and beautiful countryside. The hotel is also nearby to one of the town's most historic properties, Llanelli House, and just over 10 miles from the buzzing city of Swansea.

Cathy Evans, General Manager of Premier Inn Llanelli, commented: "We are thrilled at the opportunities that Premier Inn Llanelli will bring to the community. The hotel is ideally located for those looking for a great value weekend break away and is also great for business travellers looking for accommodation near the city of Swansea without being surrounded by the hustle and bustle."

Premier Inn offers all guests a no quibble 'Good Night Guarantee' - which means if customers are not 100% satisfied with their stay they will get their money back.

With over 600 hotels nationwide, Premier Inn is at more locations than any other hotel chain in the UK. More information can be found at www.premierinn.com

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Premier Inn
Award-winning Premier Inn is the UK’s best value hotel brand with over 600 budget hotels and more than 46,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland, including hotels in Llanelli. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms, TV with Freeview, and Wi-Fi internet access. All Premier Inns feature a bar and restaurant, situated inside the hotel or adjacent, offering a wide range of food choices.

In 2008 Premier Inn launched in Dubai and is now open in Bangalore, India. On a domestic front, Premier Inn aims to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London (within the M25) by 2012.

Whitbread Plc. brings £7.5 million to Leeds thanks to new Premier Inn

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:38:53 GMT

Whitbread PLC is to open its brand new Premier Inn hotel in Leeds City Centre North on 9th April 2012. The property will contribute over £7.5 million to the local economy whilst creating 40 new jobs for Leeds residents.

The brand new 130 bedroom hotel is situated in Leeds City Centre North on Claypit Lane and is just a stone's throw from the Millennium Square, Leeds flagship project to mark the year 2000 which has become a focal point for events in the city centre. The square is bordered by many of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Town Hall, Leeds City Museum, Leeds Academy and Leeds College of Art.

The new hotel is ideal for travellers being located just over a mile from Leeds Railway station and perfectly situated near all the shopping plazas, restaurants and theatres this lively city has to offer. The hotel is also within a five mile radius to both Leeds Metropolitan University and the University of Leeds.

David Kent, General Manager of Premier Inn Leeds City Centre North, commented: "The hotel is ideally located for those looking for a great value weekend break as the city has so much to offer. It will also be extremely convenient for business travellers looking for accommodation near the city centre."

Each bedroom caters for up to two adults and two children (aged 15 and under) and includes an en-suite bathroom; a king size bed; remote control TV with Freeview; tea/coffee making facilities, and a spacious desk area with Wi-Fi Internet access. The site will also offer the All You Can Eat 'Premier Breakfast' in the on-site restaurant.

Premier Inn offers all guests a no quibble 'Good Night Guarantee' which means if customers are not 100% satisfied with their stay they will get their money back.

With over 600 hotels nationwide, Premier Inn is at more locations than any other hotel chain in the UK. More information can be found at www.premierinn.com

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About Premier Inn:
Award-winning Premier Inn is the UK's best value hotel brand with over 600 budget hotels and more than 46,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland, including hotels in Leeds city centre. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms, TV with Freeview, and Wi-Fi internet access. All Premier Inns feature a bar and restaurant; situated inside the hotel or adjacent, offering a wide range of food choices.

In 2008 Premier Inn launched in Dubai and is now open in Bangalore, India. On a domestic front, Premier Inn aims to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London (within the M25) by 2012.

Whitbread Plc. brings £8.4 million investment to Edinburgh

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:40:03 GMT

Whitbread PLC has opened a new Premier Inn hotel on Edinburgh Princes Street. The hotel will create 32 jobs within the community, bringing a total of £8.4 million into the local economy.

The brand new 97 bedroom hotel is situated on Edinburgh's world famous Princes Street which enjoys fabulous views of the very picturesque and historic Edinburgh Castle. A short walk from Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station in the heart of Edinburgh's city centre, the new Premier Inn is ideal for both leisure and business travellers alike.

Alisa Riva, Manager of Premier Inn hotel on Princes Street Edinburgh commented: "We are delighted to welcome another hotel to the capital. The fantastic location and incredible views of the castle means it's perfectly situated for all types of guests whether they are here for business or leisure. Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street provides guests with affordable accommodation that does not compromise on quality and we look forward to welcoming guests from March."

Premier Inn offers all guests a no quibble 'Good Night Guarantee' which means if customers are not 100% satisfied with their stay, they will get their money back.

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Premier Inn
Award-winning Premier Inn is the UK's best value hotel brand with over 600 budget hotels and more than 46,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms, TV with Freeview, and Wi-Fi internet access. All Premier Inns feature a bar and restaurant; situated inside the hotel or adjacent, offering a wide range of food choices.

In 2008 Premier Inn launched in Dubai and is now open in Bangalore, India. On a domestic front, Premier Inn aims to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London (within the M25) by 2012.

British Airways increases flights from London City

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:45:23 GMT

British Airways is expanding its aircraft fleet and route network at London City Airport where it is now officially the largest operator with the highest number of routes and customers.

The airline is to take delivery of another Embraer 190 in the late summer, bringing the total fleet size to 14 aircraft.

It will be used for new year-round flights to Venice and to increase frequency to the key business destinations of Frankfurt from March and Glasgow from September.

The new route means even more choice for customers wanting to take holidays in Venice, the gateway to Northern Italy, when the flights launch in September and there will be one extra flight a day to Frankfurt and Glasgow.

The news comes as British Airways is about to start brand new services from the Docklands airport to Mahon in Menorca, Quimper in Britanny and Angers in the Loire Valley in France from May.

As the airline continues to grow its network, passengers now have more choices of leisure destinations when they fly from London City on one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the business. A total of 22 destinations in the UK, Europe and the USA will be served by British Airways from London City Airport.

Peter Simpson, managing director British Airways wholly owned subsidiary airline BA CityFlyer, said: "We are very excited about the arrival of our 14th aircraft which will add frequency to existing business destinations and has opened up new flying possibilities to popular leisure destinations. Our customers love the quick and easy service at London City, just 15 minutes from curbside to airside, making the most of their valuable time.

"We have some very competitive all inclusive fares to all our destinations, which include a generous free 23kg luggage allowance, free on-line check-in and seat selection 24 hours before departure and complimentary food and drink on board."

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About British Airways:
British Airways plc offers a wide range of worldwide destinations - including flights to London, flights to Lagos, and flights to Brisbane, as well as hotels, flights, car rental with Avis and experiences. Customers can save time and money with ba.com when booking ATOL protected holiday packages, ATOL number is 5985. Passengers are offered added peace of mind to their holiday plans and the security of travelling with British Airways. British Airways plc constantly seeks to exceed customers' expectations, both in terms of the value for money and quality of the service provided.

Macdonald Hotels' manager encourages jobseekers to stand out

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:30:58 GMT

The manager of a luxury resort in Shropshire this week offered his advice to jobseekers on how to make themselves stand out.

Terence Southward, the general manager at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel Golf hotel in Shropshire said it was important to show initiative in the current climate.

"Our business is about personality, commitment and get-up-and-go so just putting in that little bit of extra effort can make all the difference," he said.

Terence, a father of one, started his career at 21 waiting tables at Butlins but is now manager of the luxury hotel and golf resort on Tarporley Road, Whitchurch, part of the Macdonald Hotels & Resorts group which includes 40 hotels and resorts in the UK, including Manchester hotels.

The Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel Golf and Spa is well-known as one of the top 10 golf venues in the UK but it is also one of the most prestigious venues for weddings in Shropshire with a luxury spa and health club as well as conference facilities for up to 300 people.

It had been a quick rise to the top for the 39-year-old who simply knocked on restaurant doors until someone gave him the job he wanted after leaving the holiday park. He said it was this kind of dedication that could make the difference in the eyes of potential employers in 2012.

"It's easy to put a letter in the post enquiring about employment but if someone with the right attitude walked into my hotel, I would give them a chance," he said.

Before becoming general manager of Hill Valley, Terence worked his way up through the ranks, starting with waiting tables shortly after graduating from university.

Over the years he has worked in three and four star hotels throughout the North West - including in his hometown of Liverpool while it was the European Capital of Culture - and has managed the catering for the weddings of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen.

He believes the best managers are those who have experienced work at all levels of their industry.

"You understand the pressures your employees are under if you have done it yourself," he said.

"The most important thing to me as general manager is attention to detail, the moment I walk into a hotel I will notice if the background music isn't on, if a light bulb is broken or if the temperature isn't quite right.

"They may sound like small things but they make a difference to customers and that is what concerns me.

"Every day you should come into work and ask what are we doing and how can we do it better?"

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About Macdonald Hotels & Resorts:
With over 40 hotels and resorts across the UK, including hotels in Manchester, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts - AA Hotel Group of the Year 2007/08 - leads the way in offering luxury accommodation; sumptuous food and drink and top quality service.

Privately owned, and run by a group of passionate and experienced hoteliers, the Group has grown to become one of Britain's best loved hotel companies.

The properties have a unique style and character - from contemporary buildings in bustling city centre locations to sophisticated manor houses nestled in beautiful country grounds.

The hotels offer guests plenty of leisure facilities, some have their own golf course whilst many have extensive Vital Leisure and Spa facilities.

The group's restaurants boast 39 AA Rosettes thanks to its celebrated cuisine.

Radisson Blu Hotel Kiev to join Earth Hour movement

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:52:20 GMT

Radisson Blu Hotel Kiev has announced that it will join the Earth Hour worldwide movement on 31 March, 2012 at 8:30 pm and will switch off the hotel’s lights and illumination. By this action, the hotel joins the efforts of many other organizations around the world to draw attention to the worldwide issue of global warming.

In March 2007 in Sydney, Australia, 2.2 million individuals turned their lights out for one hour for the first time to take a stand against climate change. Electricity production, along with excessive usage of natural resources, results in emissions of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. Each year more and more individuals, organizations, cities and countries are joining the movement with Earth Hour 2011 seeing hundreds of millions of people across 135 countries switch off for an hour.

Radisson Blu Hotel Kiev was one of the first business organizations in Ukraine that supported the Earth Hour movement. Since 2009, the last Saturday of March is when the hotel hosts a series of events that aims to draw the attention of guests and employees to the climate challenges facing the planet. The activity which has the greatest impact and involves everyone in the hotel is the switching off of the lights in all guestrooms and public areas. The hotel is lit with candles and each of the two on site restaurants turn into the most romantic places.

This year, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Kiev is involved in the event again and has prepared an intensive program for its guests whereby visitors to Mille Miglia Italian Restaurant will experience and join the Earth Hour program by ordering the special set menu of three fabulous dishes cooked without electricity.

To make participation in Earth Hour both interesting and informative, there is an invitation to guests and visitors to the K-Largo culinary master class "Cooking with Love to save our Planet". All dishes will be prepared without electricity and the class offers interesting ideas how to create tasty, healthy food while respecting the environment. Guests will be assured that cooking without electricity does not sacrifice nutrition or taste and the attendees will be able to try their hand at cooking their own culinary masterpieces.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Kyiv is conveniently located in the business and historical city center. It features 255 rooms of Kiev accommodation in 3 unique design styles. Guests can unwind either in the award winning Italian Mille Miglia restaurant, or in the K-Largo Lounge Lobby or experience the fabulous Super Breakfast Buffet. Conveniently located on the ground floor the hotel’s Kiev conference facilities span over 407 m. sq. including an Embassy Suite to accommodate 250 people based in reception and four boardrooms for business meetings. The hotel's fitness center features a gym, sauna and steam room, different massage types, and a solarium.

About The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group:
Radisson Blu Hotels are part of The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of more than 415 hotels in operation and under development with 90,000 rooms in over 60 countries, including hotels in Ukraine. One of the priorities in its operation is Responsible Business program that includes responsibility for the safety and health of guests and employees, social and ecological responsibilities.

About Earth Hour:
Earth Hour, strong global initiative that has grown from a one-city initiative in 2007 to a 5,251 city strong global movement in 2011. It invites individuals, businesses, governments and communities people to turn out their lights for one hour to show their support for environmentally sustainable action.

More information about Earth Hour in 2012 is wwf.panda.org.

Radisson Blu Hotel Prague restaurant awarded first Michelin star

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:22:37 GMT

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced that the Radisson Blu Hotel Prague's fine dining restaurant, "The Alcron", been awarded its first Michelin star. The intimate restaurant featuring just 24 seats is headed by Czech chef Roman Paulus and offers an exclusive menu focused on fish and seafood.

"We are very proud of Roman Paulus and his professional, dedicated team. Michelin honors the best of the best only and "The Alcron" is a true jewel where our guests enjoy food and hospitality of outstanding quality", said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of the Rezidor Hotel Group that operates the hotel.

"The Alcron" opened its doors in 1932 and soon became a favourite venue for celebrities such as writer Frederick Forsyth, French cabaret owner Maurice Chevalier, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur and Czech athlete Emil Zatopek. Much like the Radisson Blu Prague hotel itself, the elegant dining room is designed in Art Déco style. It features an original fireplace from the 1930s and wall paintings of dancing couples by Tamara de Lempicka.

Chef Roman Paulus, who has worked in famous kitchens like at The Savoy in London and on board the legendary cruise liner "Queen Elizabeth II" before joining "The Alcron" four years ago, firmly believes in perfect, fresh ingredients and excellent service: "Food must have taste and be fun at the same time", he said.

Together with David Patek, Food & Beverage Manager at the Radisson Blu Hotel Prague, Paulus has put together a carefully selected, rigorously trained and highly creative team at "The Alcron".

"To have the right attitude and ambitions is crucial for us. We cannot work with people who are willing to make a soup out of instant powder", he commented.

Located in the heart of the Golden City, the Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel Prague is just steps away from famous attractions such as Old Town Square, Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge. A lavish, avant-garde accommodation when it opened in 1932, the hotel's historic features have been meticulously restored, preserving details like glittering chandeliers, rich Italian marble and creamy milk glass. All 206 guest rooms retain the grace and elegance of a bygone era while offering modern conveniences, such as free high-speed internet access, LCD flat-screen televisions, Nespresso coffee machines and state-of-the-art online entertainment systems.

About the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group - born in early 2012 - is one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups. The portfolio of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group includes more than 1,300 hotels, including hotel Cannes, hotel Berlin, hotel Salzburg, hotel Malta; a global footprint spanning 80 countries, a powerful set of global brands (Radisson Blu, Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Missoni and Park Plaza). In most of the group’s hotels, guests can benefit from the loyalty program Club Carlson, one of the most rewarding loyalty programs in the world. The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and its brands employ more than 80,000 people.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is headquartered in Minneapolis, USA, and Brussels, Belgium.

The National Trust reports son of RamCam born live on LambCam

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:37:13 GMT

A ewe that was tupped in a video made as part of the National Trust's MyFarm* project has, nearly five months later, given birth on camera too.

The Portland ewe, unimaginatively named '3462' after her tag number, shot to prominence after starring in MyFarm's 'RamCam' video.

RamCam saw Peacland Paolo, a Portland ram, fitted with a horn-mounted webcam as he went out for the tupping season at Wimpole Home Farm, the home of MyFarm, last November.

In his first tup, Paolo took a special shine to experienced ewe number 3462, one of 30 ewes in his field for the tup. The video has been viewed more than 18,000 times on YouTube.

As the end of the 145-day gestation period drew nearer, the MyFarm team moved the ewe into a lambing pen fitted with another webcam.

On Sunday evening, viewers on the MyFarm website saw the as-yet unnamed 'Son of RamCam' born into the world.

MyFarm Project Manager, Andrew Cock-Starkey, said: "First RamCam and now LambCam have been great fun and we hope people have enjoyed watching them.

"Though it’s all done slightly tongue in cheek - and we've had lots of pun fun with titles like RamCam and EweTube - there is a serious message too.

"Carbon footprints, food miles and food provenance are becoming more and more important both to consumers and the industry.

"Most people have eaten lamb, still more will have heard of the lambing season at farms but I'd wager not many knew what the tupping season was.

"Through the MyFarm project we want to involve people in farming and where their food comes from.

"MyFarm members vote on key decisions that affect the future of the farm.

"If Paolo, ewe 3462 and their son help us teach people that British lamb born in the Spring is available to eat in Autumn, and not in the next few weeks as most people think, then they’ve done their job."

The lamb's birth was amongst the first at the home of MyFarm, Home Farm on the Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire. It signals the start of the farm’s lambing season that starts on Saturday 17 March and runs through to Sunday 5 April. Home Farm is open to the public and is expecting around 40,000 visitors during the five week period.

Andrew Cock-Starkey added: "Lambing is a very busy but hugely enjoyable time on the farm and the farm staff work really hard to share the goings on with the public.

"It's quite a magical thing to see a lamb that’s a few hours or even minutes old and lucky visitors may even see a birth for themselves.

"For those that don’t we suggest they keep an eye our MyFarm webcams. We've had pigs farrowing recently and even a rare Bagot goat having twin kids all live on camera."

For more information on MyFarm visit www.my-farm.org.uk.

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Notes to Editors:
* The MyFarm experiment launched on 4 May 2011. Based at the National Trust’s own working farm, Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire, Farm Manager Richard Morris sets regular decisions to subscribers who then debate and vote on topics to include crops, livestock and wider impacts.

About The National Trust:
The National Trust is one of the most important nature conservation organisations in Europe with over 1,000 sites covering 250,000 hectares, including coastal sites, countryside places, woodland and upland areas; many of which are rich in wildlife. All 17 species of UK bat have been recorded as roosting or breeding on National Trust land and 96 per cent of all resident UK butterflies can be found on National Trust property. The Trust offers many ideas for family days out, including a selection of Easter events at locations across Britain.

National Trust's Director-General to step down

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:34:41 GMT

The National Trust has announced that Fiona Reynolds has decided to leave the charity after more than 11 years as Director-General.

Fiona is to take up her duties as Master of Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, in the autumn of 2013 - the first woman to be elected Master in the College's history.

She said: "As a graduate of Cambridge I am thrilled to be going back to head one of its finest colleges.

"I have loved every minute leading the National Trust and working with our passionate and dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters.

"I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved in the last 11 years.

"There is no organisation like it and I will miss it terribly. But it is time to allow someone else an opportunity to make their mark."

Fiona has overseen a period of transformational change at the National Trust, reconnecting the organisation with its original founding purpose, and infusing it with warmth and liveliness.

Membership hit four million last year from 2.7 million in 2001, and visitor numbers to the Trust's 300 properties reached 19 million from 10 million a decade ago. Volunteer numbers have also doubled, with 62,000 people involved last year.

From her earliest days at the Trust Fiona pioneered an 'arms open' approach to conservation, bringing expert work out from behind closed doors to take place in front of visitors, now an integral part of the Trust’s programme to bring places to life.

Property acquisitions have included the vast Victorian Gothic Tyntesfield and its estate near Bristol, Vanbrugh’s Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, the 'back-to-back' terraced houses in Birmingham, John Lennon's boyhood home in Liverpool and the quirky home of Kenyan-born poet Khadambi Asalache in Wandsworth.

These acquisitions have been part of a concerted focus on social and community relevance for the Trust, recently underlined by the long-term lease taken out on Tredegar House in South East Wales.

As a geographer and walker with a passionate interest in landscape, she has systematically added to the 617,000 acres of countryside under the Trust's care.

During this time she has championed the importance of access to the outdoors and nature for people's wellbeing and promoted local and seasonal food with a drive to create 1,000 new allotments on National Trust land.

Most recently, this included the acquisition of the 617-acre Llyndy Isaf estate near Snowdon after a public appeal raised £1 million in seven months from 20,000 donors.

She has overseen a restructure of the governance of the charity, from a 52-member Council to a 12-member Board of Trustees, as well as two major internal restructures which have strengthened and localised the organisation.

While maintaining the Trust's strict party-political neutrality, Fiona has championed its conservation principles, most recently leading the charge against proposed changes to the planning framework which, she warned, would bias planning towards excessive building in the countryside.

Fiona, 53, will continue in her post at the National Trust until her successor is in place. She plans to use the interval between leaving and moving to Cambridge in September 2013 to write a book about her years at the Trust.

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About The National Trust:
The National Trust is one of the most important nature conservation organisations in Europe with over 1,000 sites covering 250,000 hectares, including coastal sites, countryside places, woodland and upland areas; many of which are rich in wildlife. All 17 species of UK bat have been recorded as roosting or breeding on National Trust land and 96 per cent of all resident UK butterflies can be found on National Trust property. The Trust offers many ideas for fun days out and things to do, including countryside walks throughout locations across Britain.

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