HOTEL HELPS HOSPICES WITH CELEBRATION DINNER

A fundraising gala night helped celebrate a multi-million pound makeover at a top Lancashire hotel.

Over 130 guests from the world of sport, showbiz and business gathered at Holland Halll Country House Hotel in Upholland for a glittering charity night of champagne, wine and fine food to celebrate the completion of a five year transformation of the hotel by owner Ron Jones and business partner Neil Manley.

Granada TV presenter Paul Crone hosted the event, staged in the new Garden and Terrace Suite with around £2,000 raised, going to local hospices Wigan and Leigh and Willowbrook in St Helens.

Work on the 30-bedroom 17th Century building on Lafford Lane, has helped create over 50 new jobs in the area and having already invested over £1 million on the refurbishment programme, the owners are planning a further £1 million investment in the next 18 months to build a new 20 bedroom extension.

Guests at the charity gala included representatives from Wigan Athletic Football Club, Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club, head teachers from local primary and secondary schools, members of Wigan Rugby Union Club, Orrell Red Triangle Cricket Club, Masterchefs Tom Bridge and Brian Hargreaves, members of the press and local politicians including MP Rosemary Cooper; who all celebrated the hotels relaunch and dug deep in their pockets to raise money for two very worthy causes.

Ron, 53 who took over the Grade II listed hotel in 2002, has years of experience in the hotel industry working at The Caledonian in Edinburgh, The Europa in Belfast as well as a string of hotels in the Middle East, before returning to his roots in the North West to run his own hotel.

Locals will remember the hotel as home of Churchill’s Restaurant and Winston’s Pizza and whilst the delicious pizzas are still on the menu, the new restaurant ‘Aspects’, offers breathtaking views of the golf course and woodland surrounding the hotel with a real Mediterranean setting and dishes to match.

Holland Hall is fast becoming `the’ wedding and conference venue in the area and guests at the charity event were able to sample just why as they enjoyed first class food and a host of entertainment including stilt walkers, fire -eaters and close up magic along with tribute band Rave On.

Ron said; “Neil Manley and I are delighted to share this special occasion with everyone here this evening and I would like to thank them for their generosity towards the charities we are supporting.

“Over the last five years we have developed the hotel considerably and created what we think is a very unique and appealing venue.

“Friends or family can enjoy a relaxed meal at lunchtime or in the evening or hire one of three function rooms for private dinning or a party, wedding or business conference with each event tailored to suit their individual needs.

“The hotel has retained its’ 17th Century character despite the introduction of 21st Century technology including I-pod docks, DVD players, wifi internet access and flat screens. The modern décor in the restaurant, bars and lounges compliments the original features creating somewhere that provides the comfort and personality of the country house with the convenience and style of a chic city hotel.”

ENDS

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