We have not been shy in publicising our 30th year in business here at the Appleby Inn Hotel so we thought it was only right that our first blog would touch on this much celebrated anniversary – 30 years of the Appleby Inn Hotel and also look forward to the future of our establishment.
Our updated website which includes this new blog is the latest update to our company. The aim is to ensure the Appleby Inn Hotel is an ever-progressing venue whilst still never straying from our original values and traditions. Many of our regular customers will have witnessed many changes over the years at the Appleby Inn Hotel, though we sometimes forget the extent of the many alterations the premises has undergone, both structurally and operationally over the past 30 years.
On September 26th in 1986, the current owners acquired the premises and swiftly sought to make some changes in their quest to build a strong family business within an establishment which already boasted a rich history as a venue.
The first was to change the business name from the Moore Arms to the Appleby Inn Hotel. This was to avoid confusion with a public house called the Moores Arms in Norton Juxta Twycross. The new name was seen as relevant to the local area and also a geographic clue for guests travelling to what would become a new-build hotel on the premises. We were also keen to acknowledge the Moore family name and Sir John Moore in particular, because the premises was originally named after him. So our then a-la-carte restaurant and function room was re-named Sir John Moore in recognition of him.
The addition of the hotel in 1990, which was designed and built by premises owners the Goss family, was a huge change in the business. Whilst still a busy and popular venue, the Appleby transformed from a small, village public house and restaurant opening at lunch time and in the evening, to a 20 bedroom hotel opening from 6.30am to the early hours of the following morning. Whilst the shift in the business was sizeable, the quality of service and fayre was not compromised. Using a hands on approach still demonstrated by the family today, the original values were passed through to staff and then on to customers alike.
Private functions soon become a trademark of the Appleby Inn Hotel, and lasting friendships have been made in the process of hosting presentation evenings and wedding receptions. To be such a big part of people’s celebrations and special occasions is very rewarding and we are proud to say that our teams – both past and present – excel at hosting them.
The hotel has had various structural changes and refurbishments over the years and our current tally of bedrooms stands at 26! Over 30 years it isn’t just the Appleby Inn Hotel that has seen such dramatic changes, so has the world we live in. Constantly changing and updating to meet customer needs, we have made sure we keep up with these modern day advancements. We are currently working towards increased wi-fi speeds to supply our guests with better internet connections. Our social media is very interactive with guests often commenting upon stays and meals, and our online presence presents our ever-changing services directly to guests much more quickly and easily than ever before. The new age digital platform allows us to extend our warm, interactive nature to people that aren’t even in the building, although when you visit in person, we still consider our personal approach to be our highest priority!
Whilst we continue to embrace change and new ideas we are very aware we do not to wish to leave those traditional values or our original way of conducting business behind. Our first foot on the ladder was with the mindset of a friendly, approachable atmosphere, homely surroundings and value for money offerings. The age range of customers for the premises is anywhere between two and 90 years, and I think this perfectly reflects that whilst we strive to broaden our appeal to new customers we will certainly not be leaving people behind by steering away from our original values or drastically changing the format of what has made us such a popular venue over the past 30 years. This is why the Appleby Inn Hotel is quite special to me as a person as well as an employee, I am fiercely proud of the way we welcome all guests, the way our team of staff knit together and form great, lasting friendships and the way so many of our customers become friends too. It is a place for everyone, staff, customers, even people casting an eye over a blog! We very much hope to welcome many more people over the next 30 Years of the Appleby Inn Hotel.
