A new artisan produce shop championing local independents and a 1950s-style dessert diner have been unveiled at an award-winning Warwickshire hotel.
This is an exciting new endeavour by No Ordinary Hospitality Management, the company which runs Coombe Abbey Hotel, just outside Coventry. The two new outlets, which have seen a £185,000 investment, are inside the Visitor Centre at Coombe Abbey Park.
No Ordinary Hospitality Management also runs The Café in the Park, Kiosk in the Park and an ice-cream kiosk located within the grounds of the 500-acre parklands.
The launch coincides with Luminate Coombe, a family-friendly illuminated Christmas light trail running until Christmas Eve, and is located close to outdoor tree top adventure site Go Ape.
The Sundae Club with its retro teal leather booths and diner bar stools combined with baby pink walls has an authentic 1950s vibe. There’s even a playlist airing music from the era.
Visitors can order a wide variety of ice cream sundaes, waffles, crepes and shakes ranging from a Knickerbocker Glory sundae to caramel shortcake waffles and mango milkshake, along with vegan potted ice-creams, cheesecakes, cakes and hot drinks.
The Abbey Artisan Market is fully stocked with produce from local suppliers, including Coombe Abbey Gin specially created by Thousand Trades Distillery, an award-winning artisan spirits producer in Redditch.
Founder Philip Warren set up the distillery last year and has already clocked up four International awards for their gin and vodka in 2021.
He said: “It’s fantastic that Coombe Abbey is supporting our distillery. For us, it’s a massive opportunity for brand awareness with such a large footfall to the park and it’s a very good idea to diversify the business on their part.”
A range of Christmas gift packs are also available, plus Holy Cow artisan curry kits, preserves and chutneys from The Bay Tree and Cotswold Fayre as well as outdoor wear from Regatta Clothing.
No Ordinary Hospitality Management also operates a number of historic buildings in Coventry – St Mary’s Guildhall, a Grade I Listed medieval building in Bayley Lane currently undergoing a £5.6 million restoration project, and six beautifully restored historic cottages offering boutique stays for short breaks.
The plan is for Coombe Abbey to now grow as a destination day out, as well as a four-star hotel well-known for its extensive top-class social events programme and acclaimed afternoon teas.
Richard Harrison, Managing Director of No Ordinary Hospitality Management, said: “Our desire is to drive visitors to Coombe as more of a destination and to give people an extra reason to visit.
“We are passionate about supporting local suppliers in The Abbey Artisan Market and would like to invite local food and drink producers across Coventry and Warwickshire looking to showcase their products in the store to please contact No Ordinary Hospitality Management.
“With The Sundae Club, we had an idea to create a fun, colourful dessert diner with a 1950s feel in a different setting as usually they are found on the high street. Hopefully it will be the first of many!”
Robert Andrews, from Rugby, has been appointed new Retail Operations Manager in charge of running The Abbey Artisan Market, the retro-theme café – The Sundae Club – and other food and beverage outlets across the park.
His retail management experience includes 18 years as a general manager of major cinema chains across the West Midlands and Warwickshire, as well as overseeing the launches of new cinemas at the NEC, Gloucester Quays and Hinckley as project manager. He has also worked as an operations director at Twycross Zoo and manager at Lidl supermarket.
Robert said: “Coombe Abbey Park is an inspiring location to visit set among trees and nature. It is very exciting to be launching two new food outlets here.
“At The Abbey Artisan Market and The Sundae Club we want to have as much local produce as we can. All of our suppliers are among the best in the region and UK.
“We have craft beer from Warwickshire’s Windmill Hill Brewing Company, cold meats from gold medal award-winning butcher Aubrey Allen in Leamington Spa and freshly baked goods from Rugby baker John Dywer, along with artisan gin from 1000 Trades Distillery. We even have an artisan olive oil which can be traced to an individual tree in Italy.
“For The Sundae Club, we chose Kelly’s, a Cornish ice-cream producer. We are really looking forward to welcoming people to experience both outlets.”
Ron Terry, Operations Director of No Ordinary Hospitality Management, added: “As this is a new enterprise for us, we were looking for a manager with extensive retail experience to run the artisan market and The Sundae Club, taking the business to the next level.
“As a general manager and a project manager for major cinema groups, Robert has a wealth of experience to draw on that is both fitting and highly impressive.
“We would like take this opportunity to welcome him to No Ordinary Hospitality Management and wish him the very best in his new position.”
