Weekly update

Stay up-to-date with the latest beam member news and updates in our weekly newsletter. All beam member news can also be found in our News Centre ??

Butlin’s Bognor Regis wins Best Residential UK Venue at the C&IT Awards

Judges selected Butlin's Bognor Regis?for the Best Residential UK Venue?award at the C&IT Awards that took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Friday 18th?October.?Judges highlighted Butlin’s “strong mission, outstanding growth, and exceptional commitment to sustainability and community.”?

Cat Turnbull ,?C&E Manager?for Butlin’s?and Jon Kelly, CEO of Meet & Potato Ltd were on site to collect the award. Turnbull said:

“Winning this C&IT Award is especially meaningful because it was decided by a panel of industry professionals, who selected Butlin’s from an outstanding group of venues. This award reflects the dedication of our events teams across all resorts in executing our Conferences and Events strategy, which has continually evolved since its launch in 2021.

"With investments in both upgrading existing offerings—such as making Studio 36 a permanent feature at all three resorts—and developing new innovations like PLAYXPERIENCE, which opened at Bognor Regis in October, Butlin’s is set to go from strength to strength.”

Read full story.

30 Euston Square strengthens charity and community commitment through new Smart Works partnership

30 Euston Square has reinforced its dedication to charitable giving and community impact through a recent collaboration with Smart Works Charity , further cementing the venue’s focus on making a difference. This initiative is part of a broader effort that already includes partnerships with Euston Foodbank and Hotel School London.

The award-winning venue partnered with Smart Works for its client event, where guests were invited to contribute an item of womenswear, shoes, or accessories to the charity as part of their participation.?The preloved items were then gifted to help empower women as they took their first step back on to the job ladder. Smart Works plays a vital role in helping unemployed women succeed in job interviews by providing them with professional clothing and essential coaching. This support empowers them to secure the role and transform their lives.?

Luiz Mazzari , 30 Euston Square’s General Manager, comments:

“It’s important that we use our business to drive change and consequently, we strive to broaden our charity partnerships when we know we can make a demonstrable impact. Through Smart Works we can help women get back into employment, through Euston Foodbank we ensure local families are fed and nourished, and Hotel School helps vulnerable people?to thrive in the hospitality industry.?

"We’re always looking for charities that we can support by using the meetings and events that we host as ways to make a difference.”

Read full story.

The Milner York?Debuts in York

Following?months of?preparation,?The Principal York?has?officially relaunched?as Milner York ,?introducing a?bold new chapter?for this historical Grade II listed hotel.

Originally built in 1878 as the Royal Station Hotel,?the new?name?honours the hotel’s connection to York’s railway heritage while embracing a modern?future.?Named after William Milner, the York Station foreman during World War II who posthumously received the King’s commendation for gallantry, the new brand?symbolises bravery?and?valour, paying tribute to those who have contributed to York’s rich history.?

Today marks the official completion of the rebrand?including new external signage signifying the name change to The Milner York, and internal signage?for the two rebranded dining outlets?Peachey’s Bar & Grill and The Swollen Gambler, both offering refreshed identities and?menus. The hotel’s website, social media channels and all communications?have also transitioned?to the new name, ushering in a new and exciting era for the hotel.?

Andrew Farrow ,?group director of?marketing?at RBH said:

“We are proud?to unveil The Milner York’s new identity,?reflecting?the hotel’s storied past with a vibrant, contemporary vision, setting the?stage for its?ongoing?success?under RBH?management.?The process has been significant, to ensure?the new brand effectively pays?homage to William Milner,?marking a?fresh?chapter for the?hotel.?

“This transformation represents not just a name change, but a refreshed experience for?both?guests?and staff, with modern enhancements that respect the building’s heritage?while looking ahead to an exciting future.”

Read full story.

Multi-Million-Pound Bedroom Refurbishment Underway at Carden Park Hotel

Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire has accelerated its ambitious growth strategy with the unveiling of a ï¿¡6.5 million investment into its 197 bedrooms, integrating energy-efficient technologies with a fresh new interior design. 20 rooms have been fully refurbished as of October 2024, with 40% of all bedrooms set to be completed by spring 2025.

The newly refurbished rooms have been designed in keeping with the other bright and contemporary spaces found throughout the hotel, featuring blue and green interior themes that provide a sense of stylish simplicity and timeless luxury. The design draws inspiration from the hotel’s countryside location, as well as the calming wellness elements of the award-winning Spa at Carden, ensuring the guest experience is modernised while embracing the defining elements of the property.

Director & General Manager of Carden Park Hotel Hamish Ferguson says of the new refurbishments:

“The overhaul of our hotel bedrooms marks a significant chapter in Carden Park Hotel’s journey. We are thrilled to embark on this exciting project to enhance our luxury accommodation, reinforcing our commitment to providing an exceptional and rejuvenating experience for our guests. Sustainability has been at the forefront of all previous renovations at the hotel, and we endeavour to continue this trajectory in all future transformation projects.”

Read full story.

Wyboston Lakes Resort Joins the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) on the Road to Net Zero

As part of?its?ongoing journey towards a more sustainable future, Wyboston Lakes Resort has?announced?its?commitment to the?Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).?

This major step forward in their?ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy reaffirms?its?dedication to tackling climate change and achieving?Net Zero emissions?across all areas of the business.

Wyboston?Lakes?Resort?is committed to being a leader in sustainability within the hospitality and events industry, and?by?joining the SBTi?it?strengthens?its?ability to reduce carbon emissions in a meaningful and science-backed way. Setting science-based targets ensures that sustainability goals are in line with the global effort to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

Louisa Watson ,?Marketing?Director & Sustainability?Lead at?Wyboston?Lakes Resort says

“Transparency is key in our approach to sustainability, and we aim to share our successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

“We are proud of our commitment to the SBTi?as the next step in our ESG journey. At?Wyboston?Lakes, we recognise that sustainability is not just an option, but a necessity. We’re determined?to do the right thing, and setting science-based targets ensures that our Net Zero goal is both ambitious and achievable.”?

Read full story.

More Than …?the?Future of Events – Delegate Wranglers on the Road Announces First Educational Event

The Delegate Wranglers? , in partnership with Lime Venue Portfolio and the Royal Armouries Conference & Events , Leeds, have announced the content of its first DW on the Road event, the Future of Events.?

The education and networking?session?will provide insight into the?current state of?the UK?industry, but also?share latest thinking on how planners?should?design, imagine, and create?meetings?for?future delegates.?Spanning subjects from sustainability to AI,?DW on the Road will be branded ‘More than … the Future of Events’, in keeping with the light tone and aspirational nature of the series.?

Speakers?will?include Bruce Rose , Head of Strategy at the Live Group and Jo Austin , Conference & Event Sustainability Lead, Compass Group UK & Ireland and Director of Sales, Lime Venue Portfolio. The session will also include insights from some of the?next generation of event organisers, and how they perceive the new event market.?

Finally, guests will have the chance to participate in a?special Q&A from Neil and Di Thompson, Founders of the Delegate Wranglers.?Before being offered a tour of the?Royal Armouries.?

Read full story.

Industry News

170 hospitality bosses call for business rates action at the Budget

Hospitality leaders have backed UKHospitality 's call for a lower level of business rates for the sector.

In an open letter to the Chancellor, the CEOs of Britain’s most well-known and biggest pub groups –?Fuller’s, Greene King, JD Wetherspoons, Stonegate Group?and?Young’s Pubs?– have backed the call, alongside the bosses of high street staples like?Burger King, Caffe Nero, KFC?and?Pizza Pilgrims.

The sector has united behind the need for action to avert business rates bills quadrupling in April, if current relief ends as planned on March 31. Inaction would cost the sector ï¿¡914m in additional rates bills.

The group are warning that without action, investment will be curtailed, employment opportunities squandered and, ultimately, there will be higher levels of business failure.

Kate Nicholls OBE, UKHospitality’s Chief Executive said:

“This 170-strong cohort of business leaders across hospitality shows just how important addressing business rates is at the Budget.

“Inaction will lead to bills quadrupling and more venues shutting their doors for good, which will rob our towns and cities of vital community hubs.

“Further closures will be so detrimental to the Government’s growth agenda and put a dent in our sector’s ability to create places where people want to live, work and invest.

“If we don’t want to lose out on vital investment, job creation and regeneration of our high streets, then the Chancellor needs to act to introduce a lower level of business rates for hospitality at the Budget.”

Read full story and the open letter.

??? Visit our website for more information on becoming a member.

?? Want to be featured? Get in touch with your news stories membership@beam-org.uk

? Follow us on Instagram.