EDINBURGH,
February 6, 2012-- Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, the UK's
largest privately owned hotel operator with over forty 4 and 5 star
hotels throughout the UK and Spain, has further increased its market
presence by agreeing terms with the owners of the historic 48 bedroom
Haycock Hotel in Wansford near Stamford.
Located just off the A1(M) north-west of Peterborough, under the
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) agreement, the 16th century
property will operate as a Macdonald Associate Hotel. The Haycock name
and all forty staff will be retained, with additional training being
carried out to provide the service levels expected by discerning guests
at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.
Beautifully restored with an interior that seamlessly blends old and
new, The Haycock is renowned for the warmth of its welcome and its AA
rosette award-winning Orchards restaurant.
Under the new agreement, the food offering will be further enhanced in
keeping with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts policy for its skilled
chefs to always prepare dishes using only the finest, freshest produce
drawn from whole, raw ingredients.
Referring to the agreement, Chris Gillett, Managing Director, Macdonald
Hotels Management Services Ltd, commented: "Macdonald Hotels &
Resorts is very pleased to have agreed terms with the owners of The
Haycock that ensures this renowned, popular and beautifully appointed
hotel will operate as an Associate offering within the Macdonald Hotels
& Resorts portfolio.
"Easily accessible on routes from the north, south, east and west, The
Haycock offers discerning business guests impressive and modern
conference facilities and can readily accommodate 250 delegates.
These factors, combined with its geographical location make The Haycock
an excellent strategic fit for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.
"As a company, we now look forward to supporting general manager Linda
Nicholson and her staff in developing the potential of this beautifully
appointed country house hotel."
The Haycock's colourful history includes having reputedly held Mary
Queen of Scots en route to her eventual execution on the orders of
Queen Elizabeth 1.
It's also claimed Queen Victoria once stayed within its walls while
during World War 1, Sir Bache Cunard used lofts above the stables to
produce parts for munitions.
The Haycock derives its name from a volume of doggerel written in both
English and Latin by Richard Braithwaite and published in 1638.
About Macdonald Hotels:
First established in 1990 by Donald Macdonald and colleagues Macdonald
Hotels & Resorts operates over 40 hotels across the UK, including Oxford
hotels, hotels in Manchester,
Bath
hotels, Windsor
hotels, and Edinburgh
hotels. The company also operates ten resorts throughout the UK and
Spain and 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.