Life in Lockdown
Looking forward to times when we can reunite with family and friends…
A new year should give us lots of things to look forward to. However the start of 2021 has been anything but certain and continues to leave us in darkness. With postponed events and what seems an eternal pause, we wait patiently for the moment we can once again enjoy some form of normality. In the meantime it seems that we still have so much to talk to you about, and so much to look forward to. Read about everything we’ve been up to and have coming up below – there really is something for everyone!
Intimate Weddings and Sequel Weddings:
Our focus has been our wonderful clients during this time. This has been an exceptionally difficult time for weddings, with so many plans postponed or changed. We have always worked to put our clients first, and work with them to make their wedding visions a reality, and that has not changed during this time. Many clients chose to proceed with their wedding on a smaller basis last year, and the more intimate occasions did not disappoint those involved – love well and truly won!
Just take a look at the images below from Alannah and James’ special day in October 2020 captured by Matt Selby.
Following the first lockdown and subsequent limits placed on weddings, Naomi and her team also introduced the concept of a sequel wedding. Fearing the unknown, we acted with realism and shared the problem openly and frankly. With guidance changing rapidly to meet the pressures faced by the NHS, we offered couples the chance to get married on their given day within the parameters allowed, be they 15 or 30 guests. Thereafter to preserve the anniversary date for their larger, originally planned celebration and to go all out for an amazing ‘once in a lifetime’ wedding. We’ve had so many clients enjoy their sequel wedding part 1 with amazing ceremonies and smaller receptions, and cannot wait to welcome them back again later this year for that big party with all their friends and families – they are going to be epic!
Colwick Park Hut:
As we have all grown accustomed to our most local of surroundings, we have also evolved to transforming the lakeside decking area to offer food and refreshments to the visitors of Colwick Country Park. Situated by the lake and fronting the footpath, locals had the chance to stop for a glass of Pimms or grab an ice-cream cream last summer.
Now once again the Hut reopens in time for the February half term offering a click and collect takeaway service of hot dishes, light snacks, and of course much needed coffee and hot chocolate to grab and go.
EV charging:
With the impact of climate change being visibly faced, we have worked with Skidata, NCC and Swarco EV to deliver electric
vehicle charging points at the hotel. Four bays are now dedicated to EV charging and offer a rapid solution to electric car users staying in the hotel or attending meetings and events with us or at nearby locations.
Swarco E. Connect, allows a seamless journey for drivers. It’s as simple as registering online or via their app, where all payments can be processed and logged, usage monitored, and invoices stored and downloaded. Contactless payment is also an option.
Click and collect afternoon teas:
New online ordering systems have enables us to adopt in the current climate to offer our Afternoon Tea as a boxed selection of finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, savouries, cakes and tea bags. Guests can order and pay online securely using their own device and arrange collection directly at the hall.
Pictured below: Just some of our lovely customers collecting their boxes!
Virtual Showrounds:
Now in lockdown 3.0 we have grown accustomed to doing things differently, to meetings on zoom and more recently to solo walk rounds. So many couples have celebrated special engagements during lockdown, and are now in the midst of starting to plan their weddings amongst all the madness going on in the world. We have been able to stay connected via email and phone, and get the ball rolling via virtual appointments on video chat. This has allowed couples to get excited about the big day, and even make their booking in some cases! There are also businesses needing future venues for events, and people booking in for future celebrations – after all we all need something to look forward to! We’ve loved meeting so many wonderful people this way, and can’t wait to meet all our new clients in person one day soon.
February Half Term:
Approaching half term, the world still seems upside down and we are all hoping things get better soon. We are encouraged by the number of people being vaccinated and this gives us confidence there is light at the end of the tunnel. Travel still on pause, we are offering our patrons to taste food from around the globe this half term.
From Friday 12th February to Sunday 21st February 2021, we launch our ‘Stay Local: Taste Global’ menu, with far flung far East cuisine to traditional favourites from tourist hotspots. So many delicious dishes to choose from! All available to pre-order online now for your preferred date with secure payment.
Valentines Day:
Valentine’s Day is definitely an occasion to be celebrated – even in lockdown. Therefore to encapsulate the most romantic of days, the team are preparing a delicious afternoon tea to enjoy at home with a glass or two of bubbly.
The click and collect box for two is priced at £30, and includes a mouth- watering selection of sweet and savoury! Visit our online page here for all the details, and you can pre-order and pay securely online too.
We may be in a lockdown, but we can still make plans to look forward to. Staycations in the UK in 2021 are the most certain of options, and here in Nottingham there is a wealth of attractions to visit, and we are located in the hub of Colwick Park with acres of space, open swimming and so much to do!
It’s been a difficult few months and we look forward to better times and sunnier climes. We thank all of our customers and entire team for all their support, care and kindness at this challenging point.
We look forward to welcoming you in person as guidance allows. In the meantime, we hope you will join our taste of globe week over February half term and gift vouchers for special occasions.