Marketing Aloud PR

11/06/2026

HOTEL INDIGO COVENTRY APPOINTS NEW HOTEL MANAGER AND HEAD CHEF

Hotel Indigo Coventry, operated by Castlebridge Hospitality, has recently appointed Madan Rathore as Hotel Manager and Hugo Correia as Head Chef.

Madan joined Hotel Indigo Coventry in April, bringing with him more than 20 years of hospitality experience and a proven track record of operational excellence across leading international hotel brands. Prior to joining Hotel Indigo Coventry, Madan served as General Manager at Ramada Encore by Wyndham in Leicester, where he successfully led hotel operations for over 6 years. Before this, he held the positions of Operations Manager with InterContinental Hotels Group and Director of Rooms at Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport.

In his new role, Madan will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of hotel operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences while continuing to develop and support the hotel's talented team. He is widely recognised for his passion for customer service, dedication to team development, and sharp business acumen, qualities that align closely with Hotel Indigo Coventry's commitment to delivering memorable and distinctive guest experiences.

Hugo returns to Hotel Indigo Coventry following a successful period working at other hospitality venues. A highly professional, multi-skilled, and creative chef, Hugo has built an impressive career over more than 8 years in the hospitality industry. Prior to his appointment, Hugo served as Head Chef at Weston Hall Hotel. He also held the position of Senior Sous Chef with Niche & Bespoke and previously worked as Sous Chef at Hotel Indigo Coventry, making his return to the hotel a natural and exciting progression in his career. Earlier roles include Sous Chef at Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts in Birmingham.

In his new role, Hugo will lead the hotel's culinary team, overseeing menu development, kitchen operations, team training, and the continued enhancement of the food and beverage offering. His experience managing busy hotel kitchens, combined with his commercial awareness and operational expertise, will support the hotel's ongoing commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences.

Samantha Dunion, Cluster General Manager said: "We are delighted to welcome Madan and Hugo to Hotel Indigo Coventry. Madan’s extensive experience, leadership skills, and customer-focused approach make him an excellent addition to the team. We are confident that his expertise will help drive the continued success of the hotel and further enhance the guest experience. We are also thrilled to welcome Hugo back to Hotel Indigo Coventry as Head Chef. Having previously been a valued member of the team, he understands the culture and standards of the hotel and brings with him significant experience gained across a variety of hospitality environments. His creativity, leadership, and passion for exceptional food make him the ideal person to lead our kitchen team into the future."

Hotel Indigo Coventry opened in January 2024 after the completion of a multi-million-pound project. The hotel, which has 101 bedrooms, also features ‘Cogs Bar and Kitchen’ which celebrates the growers’ and producers in Warwickshire and the British Isles. Hotel Indigo Coventry is situated at Friargate, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 2GN, UK. For more information, please visit https://coventry.hotelindigo.com

05/06/2026

SHAKESPEARE DISTILLERY'S JESTER RUM CROWNED WORLD'S BEST AT THE WORLD RUM AWARDS 2026

Shakespeare Distillery is celebrating its biggest international success to date after Jester Rum Cask Strength Sherry Expression was crowned World's Best at the prestigious World Rum Awards 2026.

Following last year's Bronze Medal success, the Stratford-upon-Avon distillery has gone one step further, with its latest limited-edition release progressing through every stage of the competition to claim the highest accolade in its category.

Crafted from scratch using the distillery's award-winning Jester White Rum, the expression has spent five years maturing in carefully selected ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks before being bottled at natural cask strength. The result is a rich and complex British rum showcasing exceptional depth of flavour and character.

The World Rum Awards are among the most respected global accolades in the spirits industry, judged by an expert panel that assembles some of the world's leading rum authorities. Following the initial blind tasting rounds in Norwich earlier this year, Jester Rum Cask Strength Sherry Expression was awarded Gold and named UK Style Winner in the Hybrid Still (5 Years and Under) category.

The rum then progressed to the World Rum Awards Finals in London on Tuesday 2 June, competing against category winners from around the globe before being awarded the title of World's Best Hybrid Still Rum.

Simon Picken, Director of Shakespeare Distillery, said: "Having our rum recognised by our peers on the world stage is a huge testament to the dedication and skill of our distillery team here in Stratford-upon-Avon. To be named World's Best among entries from across the globe is an achievement we're immensely proud of and one that reflects the passion, patience and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle we produce."

The Jester name takes its inspiration from Shakespeare's iconic characters – bold, playful and often scene-stealing. True to its name, this latest expression has certainly stolen the spotlight. Shakespeare Distillery remains one of a limited number of UK producers to create rum entirely onsite, from fermentation through to bottling.

Jester Rum Cask Strength Sherry Expression officially launched on 4 June and is available online at shakespearedistillery.com/shop, at Shakespeare Distillery's 1 High Street shop and at the distillery visitor centre. Prices start from £7.25 for a 5cl bottle and £48 for a 50cl bottle. For more information about Shakespeare Distillery please visit shakespearedistillery.com

15/05/2026

Thank you Stratford Observer for the front page coverage featuring news of the 100 butterflies released at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm for Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday!

12/05/2026

CASTLEBRIDGE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE AT ANNUAL 5 SERVICE AWARDS BALL

Castlebridge Hospitality recently hosted its annual 5 Service Awards Ball* at the beautiful voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa, bringing together colleagues from across its hotel portfolio and central support teams for an evening of celebration and recognition.

Castlebridge Hospitality, based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, is a privately-owned Hotel Management Company that manages Hotel Indigo Coventry, Hotel Indigo Bath, Hotel Indigo Chester, Hotel Indigo Stratford Upon Avon, voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Keele and Holiday Inn Express Campo de Gibraltar – Los Barrios.

The awards honour the outstanding achievements, dedication and hard work demonstrated throughout 2025. Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the Hotel Team Member of the Year and Head of Department of the Year awards, both of which are voted for by team members themselves.

This year’s event embraced a glamorous Great Gatsby theme, with special guest host David Ames, best known for his roles in Holby City and Hollyoaks. Celebrations continued late into the evening with live entertainment from popular band Levitate.

Guests also enjoyed an exceptional banquet showcasing culinary talent from across the Castlebridge portfolio. Each course was prepared by chefs from a selection of the group’s hotels and restaurants, including voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa, The Woodsman at Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon, The Forge at Hotel Indigo Chester, Cogs Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Indigo Coventry, and Kitchen21 at voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa.

The event supported and helped fundraise for the hotel management company’s designated charity, Hospitality Beats Cancer, raising nearly £1,500 through donations which were matched by Castlebridge Hospitality.

Craig Patterson, Managing Director of Castlebridge Hospitality Management, said: “The talent we have across our hotels and central support teams is truly outstanding. It was a fantastic evening and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication, passion and achievements of our people. Hospitality Beats Cancer is a cause very close to our hearts, and we are delighted to have supported and hosted them at the awards.”

The winners for Castlebridge 5* Service Awards, 2025 were –
• Hotel of the Year – voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa
• Central Team Member of the Year – Hanna Kallas – Cluster Business Development Manager
• Special Recognition Award – Emma Rainford, Cluster Revenue Manager
• Top Loyalty Enrolments Award – Jose Antonio Perez Asencio – Holiday Inn Express Campo De Gibraltar
• Outstanding Contribution Award -
o Tracy Daniels, Hotel Indigo Bath
o Kyle Costelloe, Hotel indigo Chester
o Martin Mansbridge, Hotel Indigo Coventry
o Roxanne Hopkins, Hotel Indigo Stratford-Upon-Avon
o Lydia Bentley, voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa
o Marta Dominguez Alejandre, Holiday Inn Express Campo De Gibraltar
o Carmen Lo Surdo, Courtyard by Marriott Keele
• HOD of the Year -
o Nic Hurd, Hotel Indigo Bath
o Tom Leaderson, Hotel Indigo Chester
o Helen Woodley, Hotel Indigo Coventry
o Kimberley Pugh, Hotel Indigo Stratford-Upon-Avon
o Lauren Doody, voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa
o Manuel Manez Pelayo, Holiday Inn Express Campo De Gibraltar
• Hotel Team Member of the Year -
o Megumi Tada, Hotel Indigo Bath
o Courtney Parker, Hotel Indigo Chester
o Roxana Magurian, Hotel Indigo Coventry
o Alona Symonova, Hotel Indigo Stratford-Upon-Avon
o Anna Krasnikova, voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa
o Patricia Gallardo, Holiday Inn Express Campo De Gibraltar

Castlebridge Hospitality Management remains committed to delivering outstanding results for hotel owners, exceptional experiences for guests, and meaningful career development for its people. For more information about Castlebridge Hospitality please visit https://www.castlebridgehospitality.co.uk

11/05/2026

PUPILS RELEASE 100 BLUE MORPHO BUTTERFLIES TO MARK SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S 100TH BIRTHDAY!

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm marked the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough on Friday 8 May with a memorable celebration bringing together local schoolchildren, visitors and staff to honour one of the world’s most treasured naturalists and broadcasters.

Pupils from Thomas Jolyffe Primary School and Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School joined the special event, releasing 100 beautiful Blue Morpho butterflies into the Butterfly Farm’s rainforest Flight Area. The butterflies, known for their brilliant iridescent blue wings, arrived as pupae from the Butterfly Farm’s sister facility, Fallen Stones in Belize, a conservation and breeding project dedicated to sustainable butterfly farming and rainforest conservation.

The event was also attended by MP Manuela Perteghella, the Mayor Dani Hunter, BID Manager Aaron Corsi, and Siân Smith from Shakespeare’s England. The event held particular significance for the Butterfly Farm’s founder, Clive Farrell, whose early career was shaped by working alongside Sir David Attenborough on a documentary filmed at his very first butterfly house in 1983. Following the documentary’s broadcast, public interest soared, with queues forming down the road, helping launch what would become one of the UK’s leading butterfly attractions.

Clive Farrell, owner of Stratford Butterfly Farm, said “Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations of people to appreciate and protect the natural world. To celebrate his 100th birthday in this way, surrounded by children and butterflies, felt incredibly fitting. His influence on my own journey and on wildlife conservation worldwide has been extraordinary. We would like to thank Thomas Jolyffe Primary School, Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School and everyone who joined the celebration and helped make the occasion so special”.

The celebration aimed not only to honour Sir David’s remarkable legacy, but also to inspire younger generations to connect with nature and understand the importance of conservation. As the Blue Morphos took flight around the tropical rainforest setting, pupils experienced a close-up encounter with one of the world’s most iconic butterfly species.

The team at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm described Sir David as a continual source of inspiration whose work has helped people across the world develop a deeper understanding of wildlife, biodiversity and environmental protection.

To learn more about the Blue Morpho butterfly, Morpho peleides, the Butterfly Farm will be hosting Butterfly Lifecycle demonstrations over the May half term, from 23 - 31 May, daily at 11:00am in the Discovery Zone. Visitors can discover more about Fallen Stones Butterfly Farm and the fascinating journey of these special butterflies from Belize. The expert team will demonstrate from egg through to adult, the remarkable stages of the butterfly life cycle as well as giving visitors the opportunity to handle a variety of unusual stick insects.

To see hundreds of spectacular butterflies, insects, reptiles, and spiders visit the Butterfly Farm from 10am to 6:00pm, last entry 5.30pm. Open every day of the week except Christmas Day. For more information including purchasing gift vouchers, admission prices and group rates, please visit the website at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or telephone on 01789 299288.

28/04/2026

A butterfly farm is preparing to release 100 butterflies into its attraction to mark the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough. More details via comments.

26/04/2026

Thank you Stratford Observer for sharing the story about Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm plans for celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday!

Youngsters from Stratford Primary School and Thomas Jolyffe Primary School will take part in the celebration at the tourist hotspot on Friday May 8.

22/04/2026

STRATFORD UPON AVON BUTTERFLY FARM TO CELEBRATE SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGHS 100TH BIRTHDAY!

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is delighted to announce a very special celebration on Friday 8 May, marking the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, one of the world’s most treasured naturalists. Sir David Attenborough, who has previously visited the Butterfly Farm, has long been an inspiration to the team and to millions around the world through his passion for wildlife and conservation.

To honour this remarkable milestone and Sir David’s lifelong dedication to the natural world, the Butterfly Farm will host a unique event inviting two classes from local schools, Stratford-upon-Avon Primary and Thomas Jolyffe Primary, to take part in the release of 100 stunning Blue Morpho butterflies into the rainforest Flight Area. This symbolic gesture celebrates not only Sir David’s extraordinary legacy but also aims to inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect the beauty of nature.

The Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, Dani Hunter, Stratford-upon-Avon MP Manuela Perteghella, and her Chief of Staff, Jennifer Gray, will also be attending the celebration.

The morning event will see children experience the wonder of butterflies up close, creating a memorable tribute to a man who has spent decades bringing the natural world into our homes and hearts. Adding to the significance of the occasion, Butterfly Farm owner Clive Farrell, a renowned lepidopterist, will also be marking a personal milestone as he celebrates his 80th birthday the following day. Clive’s passion and expertise have helped make the Butterfly Farm one of the UK’s leading attractions for tropical butterflies’ conservation and education.

Clive Farrell, commented, "Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations to care deeply about wildlife and the environment. It is a real privilege to celebrate his 100th birthday at the Butterfly Farm, especially as he has visited us in the past. His 1983 ‘Wildlife on One: A Touch of the Butterflies’ led to long queues forming at my London Butterfly House following its broadcast. Since then I have never looked back, opening four butterfly houses in the UK, one in Switzerland, one in Florida and the breeding farm in Belize. To share this moment with young people makes it even more special, as they are the future custodians of our planet."

To see hundreds of spectacular butterflies, insects, reptiles, and spiders visit the Butterfly Farm from 10am to 6:00pm, last entry 5.30pm. Open every day of the week except Christmas Day. For more information including purchasing gift vouchers, admission prices and group rates, please visit the website at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or telephone on 01789 299288.

17/04/2026

CASTLEBRIDGE HOSPITALITY APPOINTS TWO NEW CLUSTER HOTEL GENERAL MANAGERS

Castlebridge Hospitality has appointed two new Cluster Hotel General Managers at key sites within their portfolio. Samantha Dunion has been appointed as Cluster General Manager for Hotel Indigo Stratford Upon Avon and Hotel Indigo Coventry. Scott Randall, who is General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Keele, now takes Hotel Indigo Chester into his cluster.

Castlebridge Hospitality, based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, is a privately-owned Hotel Management Company that manages Hotel Indigo Coventry, Hotel Indigo Bath, Hotel Indigo Chester, Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon, voco Wi******er Hotel & Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Keele and Holiday Inn Express Campo de Gibraltar – Los Barrios.

Samantha started in the hotel industry aged 18 and progressed through the ranks until she secured her first General Manager position at the age of 29. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Samantha has honed her skills in operations management, team leadership, and strategic planning. She has continued to work for the last 21 years as a General Manager/Cluster General Manager working with a number of different hotel brands including the Hotel Collection, Holiday Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Hotel Indigo and Doubletree by Hilton, in a variety of locations through the UK.

Scott completed his hospitality training through the Concord Hotels Programme and brings more than 34 years of experience in the industry. He has served as General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Keele University since 2020. Prior to this, he held Senior General Manager roles with Kew Green Hotels for 13 years and Regional General Manager with The Real Hotel Company for 6 years. Earlier in his career, Scott held a range of management positions with Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts and De Vere.

Samantha Dunion said: “It is a privilege to work with the teams at Stratford-upon-Avon and Coventry, ensuring we have hotels to be proud of. I firmly believe that a successful hotel should not only serve its guests but also be an active participant in the local community, as well as supporting the wider travel industry trade. It is an exciting challenge and one which I am grateful to be part of "

Scott Randall said: “It is extremely exciting to be a part of Hotel Indigo Chester and to work for such a fantastic brand. Chester is an amazing city so the opportunity to combine a great hotel in a great city was a fantastic opportunity to accept”.

Craig Patterson, Managing Director at Castlebridge Hospitality said: “We’re delighted to appoint Samantha and Scott as Cluster Hotel General Managers. Both bring significant experience and a strong track record in hospitality, and I’m confident they will make a real impact. Their leadership will help maximise the potential of our hotels, elevate the guest experience, and contribute meaningfully to our continued expansion.”

Castlebridge Hospitality Management remains committed to delivering outstanding results for hotel owners, exceptional experiences for guests, and meaningful career development for its people. For more information about Castlebridge Hospitality please visit https://www.castlebridgehospitality.co.uk