News: Council criticised over Carlton Park

Rotherham Council has been criticised for using a hotel to provide homeless accommodation without consulting locals.

Rothbiz reported last month that Rotherham MP, Sarah Champion had been made aware of "increasing issues with crime, drug use and anti-social behaviour in the Moorgate area and seemingly associated with the Carlton Park Hotel."

The issue was raised at a recent meeting of the full council following a residents meeting.

Witness reports were heard at both meetings and included “violent crime, burglaries, trespassing on private property, prostitution, sex in public, urinating in public, begging”, and “open drug use."

Boston Castle Ward member, Cllr. Taiba Yasseen said that there were serious safeguarding risks given the hotel's location close to Oakwood School and Thomas Rotherham College.

Advertisement
Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council told councillors: "I think that the council has a legal, and moral, obligation to house people who are homeless. And we have that at a time when homelessness in our country is higher than it's ever been. Now I am deeply regretful that we live in a time when we simply don't have enough temporary accommodation, including some hotel places elsewhere, to house the number of people who need those services.

"As you know, we have made a commitment to bring to an end rough sleeping in this borough, and I take that very seriously. The other thing that I'd say is that I don't think it is helpful at a time when each of those people receive support as an individual, receives an allocated worker, for people to be making comments which could be seen to generalise or stigmatise people who are homeless in our borough.

"I wish that we didn't have to put people in the Carlton Park Hotel and I'm hopeful that in the weeks ahead, we will be able to move to a situation where that will at least reduce, if not come down to zero altogether, and I'm absolutely conscientious and aware of the concerns, and strength of feeling, that have been raised by residents, but in the end, the council also has a moral and legal obligation to those people that need to have roofs over their head because the only other alternative is that we put them out on the streets."

Sarah Champion MP said: "Despite the problems residents have experienced being foreseeable, little seems to have been done in advance to prevent them. I'm deeply shocked, and genuinely surprised the Council chose to do this without any consultation with the local community.

"I strongly believe that the Council should desist from using the hotel for this purpose and have written to them again urging them to cease doing so."

In reply, Andrew Bramidge, Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, said: "The Council has legal responsibilities to place homeless households in emergency accommodation, including in hotels, when no other accommodation is available. Officers maintain regular communications with hotel management including through visits. Any reported issues are followed up and in cases where occupancy agreements are breached the Council reserves the right to end duties to accommodate."

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Constituents' crime concerns at Carlton Park

Concerns are being raised about the goings on at a longstanding Rotherham hotel.

Local MP, Sarah Champion says that she has been made aware of "increasing issues with crime, drug use and anti-social behaviour in the Moorgate area and seemingly associated with the Carlton Park Hotel."

Since opening its doors in 1981, Carlton Park has hosted eberything from family events, party nights and visiting football teams. A change of ownership in 2019 saw Red Admiral Vintage pledge to embark on an extensive refurbishmnet but the hotel was closed during the COVID pandemic and has never fully reopened.

The MP believes that the issues are concerning, particularly given the close proximity of Thomas Rotherham College and Oakwood High School.

Advertisement
In a letter to Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police, Sarah Champion says: "Residents have contacted me reporting an increase in anti-social behaviour, drug activity and drinking in the area. Residents are concerned that this is linked to the Carlton Park Hotel.

"Residents understand that the hotel is not open to paying guests, but that people arrive and leave at all hours, many of whom appear to be under the influence of drink or drugs.

"Constituents have suggested that the building may be being used as a bail hostel or halfway house."

Authorities are being asked regarding the use of the hotel and the operations at the building.

DJ Hotels & Resorts Ltd had been operating the site but Barton Huxley Management Ltd, a London-registed asset management firm, is currently responsible for the business rates for the premises.

The hotel continues to take bookings and its website states that: "While we are working hard to restore facilities please bear with us while our pool & dining options are closed.

Some recent online reviews seem to back up residents' claims.

One reviewer said last month: "No way can I recommend this hotel to stay in. It’s shabby and run down. I was confronted by a drunk man who was just outside reception. He appeared to be living in the hotel and was aggressive and had wet himself. After confronting us he wandered back inside."

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Rotherham hotel helping to combat loneliness

Rotherham's Carlton Park Hotel is backing a new campaign to combat loneliness and help to guide people through tough times after teaming up with social change movement Camerados to create the town's first public living room, designed to offer a safe environment to share worries or concerns without judgement.

The new public living room forms part of the international Camerados project, a global movement of people who believe that many societal issues can be resolved by bringing people together and making connections and was inspired by temporary tepee installed at Rotherham Hospital last summer, which caught the imagination of sales manager, Jason Gossop.

During a trip to hospital with his young son, Jason noticed the colourful tepee sitting in the hospital atrium and inspired by the project, decided to contact Camerados to ensure that a permanent home in the town could be found.

Carlton Park's public living room opens during the first Monday of each month where guests can help themselves to complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits, cakes and of course, meet others.

The name camerado was first coined by American poet Walt Whitman in his 1856 poem Song of the Open Road, describing a camerado as being someone beside you to share the journey: halfway between a friend and a stranger who looks out for you and vice-versa, without judgement.

Camerados Public Living Rooms have been very successful across a number of locations.The Rotherham tepee attracted nearly 20,000 visits during its temporary stay with the Rotherham Foundation Trust and by providing a regular meeting place, Carlton Park hopes to build on the programme, continuing to provide a safe, relaxed, and friendly, environment, where a problem shared is a problem halved.

Advertisement

Jason Gossop, sales manager at The Carlton Park Hotel, said: "Last summer I needed to take my young son to hospital. It's something which can be quite a frightening experience, but I was instantly struck by how the tepee instantly became a talking point which strangers mused about.

"Loneliness can effect anyone at any time during their lives. It seems that as we become more connected digitally, the more isolated many of us can feel. This can often have a knock-on effect into other areas of our lives such as mental health and even physical illnesses.

"Following the success of the tepee project at Rotherham Hospital I was keen to ensure that the town didn’t lose this valued resource. Our work with Camerados and Rotherham Hospital has enabled Carlton Park to continue this work, with regular monthly drop-in sessions being hosted each month."

Gemma Hayden, team leader at the Rotherham Foundation Trust, added: "Our temporary installation proved to be an instant hit, attracting more than 20,000 visitors and countless conversations. We're delighted that what started as a one-off temporary project has secured a new home, ensuring people living and working in Rotherham have a safe, friendly environment where people can come together to meet, talk and support others.

"Camerados is a global project and it’s fantastic for our town to be able to continue benefitting from this fantastic resource which has enabled strangers to become acquaintances, acquaintances to become friends and everyone involved in the sessions to meet others."

Carlton Park website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...

News: Rotherham's Carlton Park secures new owners

Rotherham's largest independently-owned hotel is under new ownership and the team behind the acquisition have wasted no time in announcing plans to invest a seven figure sum in the popular three star venue.

Aiming to establish Carlton Park Hotel as one of South Yorkshire's premier destinations, the Moorgate hotel is set to become the flagship destination new owners Red Admiral Vintage, who are planning to embark upon an extensive refurbishment programme which is set begin in the New Year.

Responsible for operating 18 hotels throughout the UK as well as a property portfolio comprising, the purchase of Carlton Park marks a significant phase in the company's plans to strengthen its position within the hotels and leisure industry and marks Red Admiral's largest acquisition to date.

The new owners have confirmed that staff employed at Carlton Park have been retained, with up to 20 additional new jobs set to be created. As part of the company's future investment plans, the hotel's conference and banqueting suites, reception areas and 80 bedrooms are set to be transformed – with some areas being reconfigured to reflect the changing way in which the venue is used by local businesses and community groups.

The longstanding Rotherham-based hotel, which boasts a five star food hygiene rating, is currently gearing up towards its busiest period as it prepares to welcome thousands of guests during the busy Christmas period, with seasonal menus built around locally sourced produce and specialities.

Once named as Yorkshire's most romantic workplace, today the hotel hosts a range of business and community events ranging from glittering awards ceremonies to networking events and special family occasions.

Advertisement

Kevin Saville, general manager at the Carlton Park Hotel, said: "The acquisition of Carlton Park Hotel marks an exciting new chapter in our long history. The exciting plans our new owners have for the business will see new jobs created, existing roles safeguarded and are designed to reflect the changing role hotels play.

"Since opening its doors in 1981, Carlton Park has played a vital role in the local community, something which will continue, offering a destination for families to celebrate special occasions, a hub for the local business community as well as providing the perfect destination for those spending time visiting our region."

Lee Pemberton, director of Red Admiral Investments said: "Carlton Park is very much a sleeping giant within South Yorkshire's economy. It is a hotel packed with potential. The venue is largest we have acquired to date and our plans will place the venue at the heart of our future development and growth plans.

"Our plans are currently underway and our vision is for Carlton Park to become the flagship  of our growing hotel business, forming a key part of our future growth plans."

Carlton Park website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...

News: Carlton Park launches first vegan menu

Carlton Park Hotel is setting its sights on becoming the first venue in the borough to offer a unique menu, catering specifically for vegans after seeing a rising demand from guests requesting plant-based meals.

Set to be launched this week, the new menu will bring together to range of meat-free and dairy-free dishes which are all made using locally sourced produce. The decision to introduce the new menu was taken in a bid to provide vegans with a range of appetising dishes and brings together a range of tasty vegan treats, as well as meat free alternatives to some of the most popular choices on the hotel's menu.

In a genuine first for a Rotherham hotel, the new menu is the culmination of many months of planning and testing. Developed under the watchful eye of head chef Paul Spruce (pictured) and designed to offer greater choices for those who follow a meat and dairy free diet and will be available alongside the hotel's recently launched summer menu, which has the addition of a range of new dishes including fresh mussels, and for those with larger appetites, the chance to tuck in to a whole chicken!

Advertisement

The move comes as the popular Moorgate hotel begins its preparations for one of the busiest and most important times on the hotel calendar, Christmas and Carlton Park is setting its sights on a record breaking year after welcoming more than 8,000 guests during 2018.

Following a recent inspection, Rotherham's only independently owned hotel was awarded a Five Star food hygiene rating – the highest standard awarded from the Food Standards Agency, reflecting the venue's commitment to delivering exceptional standards of service and quality.

Jason Gossop, sales manager at Carlton Park Hotel, said: "In recent years, we have seen the numbers of guests who follow a vegan diet rise significantly and whilst we have always offered a small selection of dishes to cater for their needs, we wanted vegans to enjoy a similar variety of choice and options as our meat eating diners – and this means creating choice. The menu is the result of many months of research and development by Paul and his team and we are planning to release the new dishes, at the end of August.

"The recent food inspection report we have received has re-affirmed our commitment towards upholding the highest standards when it comes to the quality of our food and the five star rating reflects our commitment towards delivering the highest possible standards. As we start to gear up towards our preparations for Christmas, the new dishes which are designed to appeal to vegans and non-vegans alike will offer greater choices for discerning diners, which showcase the high quality produce readily available on our doorstep."

Carlton Park Hotel website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...

News: Carlton Park's Summer Santa Week

Rotherham's Carlton Park Hotel has hosted its latest Summer Santa Week: a special week of festivities with proceeds being used to support a local charity.

Rotherham's largest independently owned hotel celebrated its 35th anniversary last year. Launching the Christmas brochure for this year, staff invited over 30 year 5 pupils at Dinnington Community Primary School to learn the secrets of what it takes to create the perfect Christmas pudding.

Pupils were given tuition by head chef Paul Spruce and his team, who taught the pupils how to weigh and mix the ingredients. After being cooked in the ovens at Carlton Park, the puddings will be stored away to allow the flavours to mature before being unveiled in November, when the festive treats will be decorated by the children ready for sale, with proceeds being donated to Rotherham Hospice.

The Christmas Pudding workshop is one of a series of fundraising activities currently being undertaken by staff at the hotel. Visitors are being treated to complimentary yuletide nibbles and are being asked to pledge a "Pound on the Pillow" to support the Rotherham Hospice. A Summer Santa, complete with red coat and Bermuda shorts has also taken to the streets of Rotherham as part of the festivities.

Advertisement

Jason Gossop, sales manager at the Carlton Park Hotel said: "At this time of year many people assume Santa is taking a well-earned rest from his busy Christmas schedule, but for the past few years he’s decided to spend his holidays spreading goodwill across Rotherham!

"This year, we chose to use our Summer Santa week to support the work of Rotherham Hospice. In the hotel industry, the Christmas period is one of our busiest times of the year and we felt our staff often miss out on the fun and the celebrations of the festive period.

"It's an idea which has captured the imagination of staff members and guests at Carlton Park Hotel who are hoping to raise as much money as possible to donate to the local charity."

Paul Spruce, head chef at Carlton Park Hotel, added: "Being a family-owned hub of the community, we feel a certain responsibility to give something back to the people of Rotherham who support us throughout the year; and what better way to do so than engaging in a week of charity work. The school children were enthusiastic and well behaved; I certainly got the feeling that there were a few budding chefs in the room!"

Carlton Park Hotel website
Rotherham Hospice website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...

News: New head chef at Rotherham hotel

The Carlton Park, Rotherham's largest independently owned hotel, is hoping to turn up the heat in its kitchen this New Year, after appointing a new head chef who is aiming to bring a true taste of Yorkshire to guests.

Paul Spruce, 34, began his catering career learning from celebrity chef Andrew Turner, who helped to pioneer the concept of grazing in restaurants across Europe and featured regularly on a range of cookery programmes including Masterchef and Saturday Kitchen.

Drawing on the wealth of experience and knowledge Andrew shared with Paul, he landed a role as head chef at a leading Sheffield hotel, before launching his own catering company which specialised in private dining functions. Paul will be responsible for overseeing a team of eight chefs, which have recently been awarded a five star food hygiene rating.

Since joining the Carlton Park, Paul has developed a brand new menu, drawing on inspiration from locally sourced fresh produce which will include a combination of popular favourites as well as a range of changing seasonal specials. The new menu will feature a range of appetising dishes including a selection of salads, burgers using the finest Yorkshire beef as well as a changing selection of gourmet dishes and traditional family favourites.

Under his leadership, Paul is helping his team to learn the art of butchery and fish preparation, with daily fresh fish dish available, but crucially, he has spent time building relationships with a number of local farmers and food producers, sourced as closely as possible, with almost 90% of produce travelling less than 50 miles from gate to plate.

Advertisement

Jason Gossop, sales manager at the Carlton Park Hotel, said: "Like every hotel, the kitchen and restaurant is the jewel in the crown of our offering. Paul brings with him lots of energy, drive and experience and through the efforts he has already made, we've been able to support a number of new local producers and farmers. Paul's first new menu reflects this commitment, placing seasonal produce and fresh ingredients at the heart of the hotel's food offering.

"Last year saw Carlton Park celebrate its 35th anniversary and to coincide with the celebration we wanted to launch a brand new menu offering a range of dishes created using fresh locally sourced fish, 100% Yorkshire beef and seasonal specials from warm, hearty soups for the colder, winter months to healthy and refreshing salads."

Paul Spruce, head chef at Carlton Park hotel (pictured, second left), added: "Joining the hotel is an exciting new challenge. I've inherited a good team around me who share my passion and fondness for creativity and although I've only been at Carlton Park for just a short period of time, I've been made to feel very welcome.

"The new menu I have developed celebrates the best of all things Yorkshire, but perhaps equally importantly I'm helping to pass on the knowledge and expertise I have learned during my career to the next generation. Skills like fish preparation and butchery are vital to producing high quality dishes and because every dish is cooked fresh from scratch, it means that special dietary requirements can easily be accommodated."

Carlton Park Hotel website

Images: Carlton Park Hotel

Read more...

News: Rotherham hotel commemorates 35 years

Carlton Park, Rotherham's largest independently owned hotel will celebrate its 35th anniversary next month.

Built on the edge of the town centre site of Moorgate House, an imposing Georgian building once home to John Oxley, a founding partner of law firm Oxley & Coward, the building later housed a children's home, run by the Rotherham Council from 1955-70.

Planning permission was granted in 1978, and three years later under the leadership of Emil Malak who joined as general manager, the hotel opened its doors, creating 50 new jobs on the site. 35 years later, some of those first members of staff continue to work at the hotel today.

Dubbed "the North of England's most luxurious venue" back in 1981, the hotel gave residents the chance to savour a range of delicacies of the day including Hawaiian cocktails and melon served in port. Its popular Pavilion Bar was adorned with exotic palm trees and even a parrot cage was installed. Reputedly costing more than £2,000 to build - the bar was home to a blue and yellow Macaw, aptly called Carlton!

Advertisement

Just two years after opening, a fourth floor was added, creating additional bedrooms. By 1999, the hotel had been granted its own Civil Marriage licence; however, trouble loomed just two years later when parent company Queens Moat House collapsed. The hotel was sold twice before being acquired by family-run Skyland Hotels. The new owners invested more than £2m refurbishing many areas of the hotel as well as expanding its function room facilities.

All was going well until 2008, when disaster struck. A fire which started in the kitchen saw the hotel close for nine months, leaving both staff and the hotel facing an uncertain future. The hotel's owners ignored advice from its insurers and succeeded in retaining the services of all its full-time and many part-time staff in the interim period before re-opened to much acclaim in March 2009.

Today, the hotel now hosts many popular events such as its tribute nights, ladies nights and disco nights as well as providing highly rated accommodation for business and leisure clients alike.

Jason Gossop, sales manager at Carlton Park Hotel, said: "It's hard to imagine the excitement there must have been on that first opening night as Rotherham gained its first luxury hotel. Today we employ more than 100 people and the hotel has firmly established itself as a prominent local landmark.

"Over the past 35 years, the hotel has had a very colourful history. During our research we unearthed some incredible stories about some of the people who have worked and visited here. We were recently awarded a Salute to Business by the Chamber in recognition of the contribution the hotel has made to the local economy is a tremendous honour."

Carlton Park website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...

News: 2016 Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards - the winners

Barnsley distribution and warehousing company, Universal Components UK Ltd, were awarded the top prize at this year's Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards event.

Having won the the ASD Lighting/Rotherham United Excellence in International Trade award earlier in the night, Universal Components walked away with the Business of the Year award, after triumphing over the competition as the winner of winners.

The ceremony, hosted by radio personality Andy Giddings, was this year held at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham with nearly 500 guests in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the shortlisted individuals and organisations, sponsored by RNN Group.

Rotherham companies recognised on the night with a salute to business included Oxley & Coward Solicitors LLP who were celebrating 225 years in business, Eric Twigg Foods for their 50th year in business and Carlton park Hotel who are celebrating their 35th year.

The most promising new business went to Jump Inc. The leisure company opened its first site in Rotherham last year and has since opened trampoline parks in Sheffield and Leeds. Highly commended in the same category was Bliss Internet, the Rotherham-based ISP that establish superfast broadband for the community of Treeton.

Rotherham United's Community Sports Trust was the winner in the Community Impact award recognising the activities led by the community development programme that works across the borough of Rotherham in deprived areas. Youth project, Team Katalyst, which offers a variety of coaching, educational and recreational products from its Rotherham base, was highly commended.

Advertisement

Rotherham-based Vertex Access won the Design & Innovation award. The Templeborough company provides industrial rope access operatives for a variety of operations as an alternative for expensive methods such as scaffolding - from abseiling to drones. Rotherham testing laboratory, ALcontrol was highly commended.

Molly Charlesworth of the host venue, Magna, was highly commended in the Apprentice of the Year award and Carlton Park hotel was highly commended in the new Leisure & Tourism category, as were Jump Inc. Innovative Rotherham firm Roy Hatfield was highly commended in Business Growth award.

The Skills Development award went to The Source Academy. Based at Meadowhall, the flagship centre provides state of the art training and development facilities with a focus on the retail and service sector. A Rotherham base opened on the High Street in 2011.

Andrew Denniff, chief executive at the Chamber of Commerce, said: "As always the evening was superb, reflecting all that is best in our City Region. My congratulations go out to all our winners and especially Universal Components, the Business of the Year.

"Our guests can certainly say that they were part of the "evening of the year" in the Sheffield City Regions business calendar, and all our shortlisted entrants can congratulate themselves in contributing to another successful event."

This year also saw the Chamber present their Charity of the Year award to Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, who received £3,000 in prize money, supported by Secure Power.

A full list of results is as follows:

The Enterprising Barnsley Most Promising New Business Award
Winner – Jump Inc.
Highly Commended – Bliss Internet
Highly Commended – Hatfield Energy Ltd

The Rotherham Together Partnership Business Community Impact Award
Winner – Rotherham United Community Sports Trust
Highly Commended – Berneslai Homes
Highly Commended – Team Katalyst

The Steelphalt Harsco Design and Innovation in Business Award
Winner – Vertex Access
Highly Commended – ALcontrol Laboratories
Highly Commended – Spin Print Solutions

The Julie Kenny CBE, DL Apprentice of the Year Award
Winner – Ricky Curtis of Palmer Construction Ltd
Highly Commended – Kairon Flowers of Interserve Learning & Employment
Highly Commended – Molly Charlesworth of Magna

The Visit Rotherham Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Award
Winner – Calypso Cove Waterpark
Highly Commended – Carlton Park Hotel
Highly Commended – Jump Inc.

The ASD Lighting/Rotherham United Excellence in International Trade Award
Winner – Universal Components UK Ltd
Highly Commended – Numill Ltd
Highly Commended – Tadano UK Ltd

The Airmaster/Mitsubishi Digital and Creative Award
Winner – DEB Chartered Accountants
Highly Commended – Hydra Creative Ltd
Highly Commended – Spin Print Solutions

The Jeremy Neal Skills Development Award
Winner – The Source Skills Academy
Highly Commended – Jump Inc.
Highly Commended – Merlinsoft Ltd

The Brook Corporate Developments Manufacturing Excellence Award
Winner – Numill Ltd
Highly Commended – Building Product Solutions
Highly Commended – The RTN Group

The RNN Training Business Growth Award
Winner – Capital B Media
Highly Commended – Crystal Clean Service Ltd
Highly Commended – Roy Hatfield

The Academy for Chief Executives Business Person of the Year Award
Winner – Michelle Bailey of Active Response Security
Highly Commended – Lisa Pogson of Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd
Highly Commended – Matt Travis of Enzygo Limited

Charity of the Year Award – In association with Secure Power
Winner – Newlife
Foundation for Disabled Children
Highly Commended – Barnsley Hospice
Highly Commended – Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids

Chamber website

Images: Tom Austen / Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber

Read more...

News: Summer Santa at Carlton Park

Staff at the Carlton Park Hotel in Rotherham have been getting into the festive spirit this month as the Rotherham venue launches its Christmas brochure and raises money for charity at the same time.

As part of the festivities, Carlton Park Hotel's very own Summer Santa and elves has been visiting businesses in Rotherham, delivering culinary goodies and more.

As well as awakening Santa and providing him with an early holiday in Rotherham, generous staff at the hotel raised funds for Cash 4 Kids by donning Christmas clobber and accessories, donating to the charity for doing so.

In the kitchen, Head Chef Paul Spruce featured a festive dish each day on the evening menu between July 15 and 22 as well as offering all guests to the hotel's reception a complimentary mince pie.

Hotel residents were encouraged to take part in Pound on the Pillow; a fundraising initiative where a pound is left on the pillow of the guest and donated to Cash for Kids.

Advertisement

Jason Gossop, sales manager at Carlton Park Hotel, said: "Christmas is an exciting and busy time for everyone, but more so for the hotel industry. We start putting our Christmas brochure together at the start of the year, so our staff are always in the festive mood!

"Carlton Park Hotel is known for providing quality food and entertainment throughout the year, and things are always spiced up during the Christmas period! We have a range of events taking place throughout December for people of all ages; from tribute lunches, which will see the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton and Cilla Black entertaining guests over a classic Christmas lunch, to child friendly breakfasts with Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen. For party lovers, our "All Inclusive" dinner and discos will return once again.

"It's also important to us to give back to the local community, which is why we want to raise funds for Cash for Kids, a charity we have supported since April last year. Our staff and guests have big hearts and stop at nothing to raise funds for local charities, whilst helping to make Christmas a special time for children and families across South Yorkshire."

The independently-owned hotel on Moorgate Road, close to the town centre, has 80 bedrooms as well as a restaurant and bar, conference and meeting rooms and a gymnasium and spa.

Cash 4 Kids was originally launched by Hallam FM as Help a Hallam Child in the early 1970s and was renamed Cash for Kids in 2008. A grant giving charity for South Yorkshire, it supports individual children, groups and children's charities where children are sick, deprived and in need of extra support.

Carlton Park Hotel website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...

News: Rotherham hotel invests as confidence returns

The Carlton Park Hotel in Rotherham believes business confidence is returning to the local economy after recording its largest number of conference bookings since before the 2008 financial crisis.

The independently-owned hotel has seen conference bookings increase by over 20% during the past twelve months and is set to achieve further growth after securing a number of new long term contracts to provide meetings, training and team-building facilities.

The hotel's position close to the town centre and local council offices has seen it benefit from an upswing in local government meetings and seminars whilst strong relationships with private sector Rotherham companies have seen it chosen to host a range of events from external training to industrial deafness clinics and drop in centres. The hotel is also the base for JCI Rotherham, the dynamic network for young professionals in their 20s and 30s.

Further afield, Team Canada Under 20's football team made use of the hotel facilities for a week long period during a visit to the UK.

Advertisement

After recording significant growth in the numbers of informal business meetings being held in the hotel, Carlton Park has also invested £20,000 upgrading its Moorgate and President Suites, including decor, furnishings and audio-visual equipment, as part of a broader investment in the hotel's facilities.

Sales manager Jason Gossop believes the growth of Carlton Park's conference bookings isn't just a reflection of the growing confidence amongst the South Yorkshire business community, but growing numbers of businesses are placing greater emphasis on the importance of face-to-face contact with both clients and members of staff.

He said: "As a whole, the hotel industry was hit hard by the recession but rising conference bookings is a clear sign that business confidence is slowly starting to return. It's not just something we've experienced here, but a trend which is being reflected nationally.

"The growth in conferencing reflects the importance placed upon face-to-face contact when it comes to building closer working relationships with business associates and colleagues.

"Hotels have long been a popular choice when it comes to hosting business events, offering an opportunity for business owners and members of staff to avoid the distractions associated with running a business and concentrating on completing the task at hand."

Carlton Park Hotel website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...

News: Cash for Kids call on Carlton Park

Generous members of staff at the Carlton Park Hotel in Rotherham are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds to support Hallam FM's charity Cash for Kids.

The appeal will see members of staff undertake a range of fundraising activities throughout the year which will see staff members test their cooking skills in a number of culinary challenges and later this year the hotel is planning to host a Superhero family lunch as well as supporting Mission Christmas, the charity’s festive feel-good appeal which tries to ensure no child in the region wakes up on Christmas morning without a present.

Cash For Kids was originally launched by Hallam FM as Help a Hallam Child in the early 1970s and was renamed Cash for Kids in 2008, following the radio station's acquisition by Bauer Media. Over the past twelve months, the charity has supported Rotherham Women's Refuge, South Yorkshire Community Foundation as well as hundreds of children requiring special support to help improve the quality of their lives.

The charity was chosen by the hotel's sales manager Jason Gossop in a bid to help raise funds for children and children's charities throughout Rotherham during the year and is the first time in the long history of the Moorgate hotel that it has named a special charity of year.

Eleanor Stephenson, community manager at the Carlton Park Hotel (pictured, second right), said: "The Carlton Park has been at the heart of local community life in Rotherham for more than 30 years but when it comes to supporting the local community our staff have big hearts too.

"The hotel has previously supported other local charities such as the Rotherham Hospice and Greasborough Co-Operative Funeral Care. This year is the first time the Carlton Park have formally named a charity of the year.

"We wanted to support Cash for Kids as we felt it was a good way of investing back into the local community, particularly as all the money raised by the charity goes directly towards benefiting children across South Yorkshire."

Last year, the charity raised over £1m. Throughout the year Cash for Kids organises fundraising events and initiatives such as the Big Bake Day and Mission Christmas. The Carlton Park will be hosting a family superheroes lunch, taking place on Sunday August 16.

Allan Ogle, charity manager at Cash for Kids (pictured, right), said: "We are excited to have a well-known, South Yorkshire based business such as The Carlton Park helping us to raise funds for Cash for Kids this year.

"As the hotel have previously taken part in fundraising for other local charities, they have knowledge and experience of charity work and fundraising, as well as being a family oriented business and committed to the local community."

Carlton Park Hotel website
Cash for Kids website

Images: Carlton Park

Read more...