NOVEMBER 2018 s ISSUE 059
Green with
ENVY
We meet the driving force behind The Ivy chat with us about its opening this month
Countess
OF COOL
The Entourage Groups’ CEO Stephanie Pearson shares her recipe for superstar success
FESTIVE
Gastronomy Figureheads in the food and drink industry give us insight into festive menus, trends and top tips
contents OUR FAVOURITE
22
The Countess of Cool
The Entourage Groups’ CEO Stephanie Pearson tells The Cheshire Magazine’s Laura Garner about her recipe for superstar success
FEATURES
27 35
Green with Envy
Natalie Anglesey meets Baton Berisha and Jason Annette the driving force behind the new food lovers paradise that is The Ivy
Add a Little Sparkle to your Christmas
We chat with Chloe Moss of ChloBo jewellery and get an insight into her Christmas range as well as trends for the festive season
27
35
REGULARS
FOOD & DRINK
008 | Publisher’s letter 010 | Contributors 015 | My life in Cheshire Evelyn Chong, Director at the House of Evelyn, shares her life in Cheshire with us
093 | Food & drink news Local chefs, new openings and launches
017 | Notebook What not to miss this Autumn in Cheshire and the North West, including three of the best theatre shows
101 | Faces of Food We interview figureheads in the Food and Drink industry gaining an insight into festive menus, trends and top tips as well as what Christmas means to them
102 | Spotlight On... Brasserie Blanc Our review of the friendly, French eatery in Knutsford
53
STYLE 047 | Watches & Jewellery Now that the clocks have gone back, brighten up autumnal outfits with modern diamond detailing, pops of colour and emphatic metallic jewellery 053 | Fashion Prepare to get bold for the upcoming party season as pops of brights and encrusted embellished wonders take occasion dressing to brand new heights 064 | Health & Beauty We love the run up to Christmas and the lovely gifts that are available, let’s hope some find their way on our stockings
DRIVE 068 | News We look at what’s hot off the press in the motoring world 070 | The Future’s Bright BMW’s futuristic i8 hybrid shows James Fossdyke that eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean dull 074 | Extra Time with... With a playing and managerial career spanning over 50 years, the former Manchester City Manager discusses his lengthy career and his involvement with the NWFA
70
113 | Local Scene All the glamour and gossip from our beautiful county
FAMILY
84 TRAVEL 077 | Travel news The latest happenings from near and far 080 | Firenze – Sei Fantastico! Rebecca Underwood takes a flight of fancy to the historic Italian beauty that is Florence 084 | Rock On Kathryn Otto goes on tour to Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife 088 | Weekend Away We visit the recently refurbished 5 star Culloden Estate & Spa stands on the forested slopes of the Holywood hills
121 | Family news From toys to tempting interiors, design is for all the family
HOME & INTERIORS 125 | Interiors news News, products and advice on making the most of your home, inside and out 132 | Life in Design We meet David Tragen, the eponymous business owner, designer and artist 136 | The Edit Cosy up at home with a flickering flame and a seasonal scent - notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and pine have got us feeling festive already 147 | Hot Property The latest homes on the market, at home or away
1 DEC
Wreath Making Courses, The Art Hub, Burwardsley
What’s On?
Enjoy a first class workshop with florist, Fiona Jordan, and make the perfect Christmas wreath. As well as this take in the breathtaking views that the Hub has to offer and enjoy festive drinks and nibbles. www.ladylonghorn.com
29 NOV - 4 DEC
Wilmslow Kitchen, Christmas Baking 10 NOV
Tatton Park, Christmas Watercolour Workshop A festive themed watercolour workshop with artist Chris Beesley.
These festive classes teach you all you need to know about the Christmas favourites including Chocolate Yule logs using lots of festive spices and decadent yummy ingredients. www.wilmslowcookeryschool.co.uk 20 DEC
16-18 NOV
Juliette Hamilton Christmas Workshop, Arley Hall
Christmas Centrepiece Workshop, The Mustard Seed Florist, Macclesfield
Juliette Hamilton runs willow weaving workshops each month but this one will have a festive twist making Christmas decorations and Angels. www.arleyhallandgardens.com
Take a moment before Christmas to relax and enjoy an evening making your own centrepiece for the Christmas table whilst enjoying a glass of mulled wine.
18
WEEKLY, NOV-DEC
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Christmas Workshops Weekly workshops will cover a different skill including flower arranging, needlework, art and crafts. These fun, informal afternoons will offer a chance to create some beautiful unique gifts in the run up to Christmas. www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk
BOTH IMAGES Š HILDAWEGES PHOTOGRAPHY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Dates for the Diary
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars
ARTS & CULTURE
What’s On?
Natalie Anglesey takes a look at November’s Arts and Entertainment Scene with a mixture of comedy, culture and sheer entertainment!
7 NOV
14-17 NOV
20 NOV - 1 DEC
Jason Manford’s Muddle Class, Stockport Plaza
Opera North returns to The Lowry
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, The Lowry
He’s back! It’s been a busy few years since Jason’s last smash-hit stand up show, but Muddle Class promises a wealth of new material about him growing up working class then discovering, over the years, that part of him has become middle class – causing confusion! It’s all delivered with his usual amiable charm. www.stockportplaza.co.uk
Lehar’s The Merry Widow: An effervescent whirlwind of romance and entertainment set in Paris - you’ll be humming the tunes long after you’ve left the theatre. Puccini’s Tosca: Secrets lies, and a lethal ultimatum awaits Rome’s star opera singer, in love with charismatic artist Cavaradossi. When he is arrested and tortured by the corrupt Chief of Police, Tosca faces a cruel blackmail. You may need a hanky! www.thelowry.com
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake returns with a fresh look for the 21st century. Audacious, witty and emotive, this Swan Lake is perhaps still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered conventions, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm. This New Adventures production sees a strong line-up of local talent. Greater Manchester dancers Shoko Ito, Andrew Ashton, Isaac Bowry and Parsifal James (PJ) Hurst. www.thelowry.com
UNTIL 17 NOV
Death of a Salesman, Royal Exchange Theatre 10 NOV - 24 FEB
The Art Gallery, The Lowry Lowry and the Pre-Raphaelites will include more than 40 works by some of the most notable of the preRaphaelites including some of my personal favourites, with works by Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown and Burne-Jones among others. www.thelowry.com
Following his critically acclaimed performance as King Lear, it’s your last chance to see Don Warrington (Death in Paradise) play Willy Loman in Sarah Frankcom’s version of Arthur Miller’s groundbreaking play. This seminal play holds a light up to the political and aspirational systems of nations that leave men like Willy stranded and families set adrift. www.royalexchangetheatre.co.uk
30 NOV - 6 JAN
Sleeping Beauty, Stockport Plaza You can boo the baddies and cheer the goodies at the lovely art deco Plaza in Stockport One of the first pantomimes announced this year stars popular Ted Robbins as a jolly Dame and glamorous Emmerdale bad girl Claire King cast true to type. www.stockportplaza.co.uk 19
The
Countess
of COOL
The Entourage Groups’ CEO Stephanie Pearson tells The Cheshire Magazine’s Laura Garner about her recipe for superstar success
F
rom humble beginnings as the daughter of teachers in Cheshire to owning some of the most coveted dining concepts in Europe’s most stylish cities, The Entourage Groups’ CEO Stephanie Pearson has certainly come a long way. Arriving in Amsterdam on the dawn of ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) could not sum up her world more perfectly. After being whisked from the airport by a private chauffeur, we are transcended onto the sixth floor of the beautiful W Hotel Amsterdam and transported into new culinary heights during a heavenly lunch at The Entourage Groups’ steakhouse-come-chic lounge, MR PORTER. Sat amongst the elite on the sun-drenched terrace, sipping cocktails delivered by deity, we find out later that we’d been warming the seats for non-other than ‘Hot Right Now’ star Rita Ora and the world’s number one DJ, Martin Garrix and his crew - regulars and friends of the vibe-driven fine dining concept du jour. Later we see both hot-stars sharing MR PORTER’s gastronomic delights (dry ice and all) with their combination of 28million Instagram followers.
22
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature
“It’s never been contrived and I think that is why it works” It’s a snapshot into the life of Stephanie Pearson. The 30-something CEO of the standardsetting hospitality brand, The Entourage Group. Stephanie along with her entrepreneurial husband, Yossi Eliyahoo, has caused quite a storm since they came onto the scene in 2008. Since the birth of their first concept MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, they have gone onto creating some of the most challenging and innovative restaurants Europe has to offer and they count dozens of celebrities, DJ’s, artists and even the notoriouslyhard-to-please Michelin judges as fans. “It’s never been contrived and I think that is why it works,” says Stephanie, who helps to realise, elevate and manage her husbands’ concepts. “Yossi and I love to travel and we’ve always had a passion for Asian cuisine. When we arrived here 10 years ago Amsterdam fine-dining didn’t really exist. The part of town we scoped for our first opening was a place where no one was opening restaurants or even really doing business (The Pipe) and there was no restaurant where Asian cuisine was being taken seriously enough.” The couple arrived into the city, post the 2008 crash. In the UK people were losing their houses, businesses and the restaurant scene felt one of the biggest hits in modern hospitality history. Having spearheaded the success of pan-Asian rosette-winning Chino
Latino’s after meeting at university in Nottingham and later moving to London, it was in the capital they met hotel entrepreneur Liran Wizman. “Liran saw something in us and he asked us to come and see what we thought of Amsterdam as a place to start a new concept alongside him opening a hotel. We instantly fell in love but we travelled back and forward to the city each weekend; we wanted to understand how this beautiful city worked and what made the people really tick.” It was after several weeks that the pair started to work on their contemporary, yet settled, clean, yet fashionable concept and so MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge was born. Shared dining plates, so regularly seen on menus now, were a brand new idea back then, and the idea of getting dressed up in a Normcore city like Amsterdam, was almost too much to digest for
some diners; MOMO set out to change all that. “We had a notoriously hard reviewer come and dine with us when we opened MOMO and whilst we had left ourselves open to criticism by doing something no one else was doing, we knew that this was going to be important; when he wrote, people read and listened and it was usually the make or break of a restaurant in Amsterdam. “Needless to say he slammed us - literally wiped the floor with us. But instead of breaking us, it made us! There was a queue around the block, everyone wanted to dine at MOMO. They realised that things were changing and that old minds were out - the new creative difference (with a glam edge) was in.”
23
It’s that new creative difference that has made the couple’s company The Entourage Group the talk of the hospitality world. Whilst the likes of leaders Gaucho closes up shop in several locations, Stephanie and Yossi, along with their 900 staff and trusted leadership team, continue to thrive. Following from MOMO’s success, their extravagant Japanese-come-South American IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar concept opened just a few blocks away and became an instant hit.“We knew there was a hunger for Asian cuisine in Amsterdam and whilst IZAKAYA is Eastern to its core we switched it up with new flavours and inventive sushi to take the gastronomy to a new level again,” explained Stephanie. “Again people thought we were mad - opening something similar just around the corner, but it just worked so well and it became an instant hit.” As with most of The Entourage Group’s offerings, IZAKAYA and its latest haute fast food offering, THE BUTCHER, feature the 360degree bar, something of a style note in all of their offerings. Even in 2008, Stephanie and Yossi knew
24
that FOMO was important before the hashtag was even invented. “You never feel like you’re missing out and there’s always something and someone to look at,” said Stephanie. “You make eye contact, you see the DJ on the decks, you make connections and the bartenders can always be in your eye-line. We call it the pick-me-up bar. We love these bars so that people can dine casually too. Our layouts are very important to building a vibe, as is the soundtrack and the lighting, and it’s the consistency of this design that helps to make the concepts really buzz wherever they may be.” Locations have been key to building the admirable following The Entourage Group now has globally. Millennial and jet-setter destinations such as Ibiza and Berlin as well as emerging hotspots of Munich and Hamburg, and not forgetting Amsterdam, have helped them with the all-important buzz-build. “The concepts translate really well,” added Stephanie. “We are looking at creating our first UK restaurants very soon, as we are contacted so often to ask when we will be coming and we’re currently looking at a new opening in the UAE, and a Mexican concept too.” With a growing team and an even faster
“You never feel like you’re missing out and there’s always something and someone to look at” growing worldwide portfolio, how does a mum-of-one do it all? “When we started and up until about three years ago, Yossi and I did everything along with our general managers. Social media, PR, marketing, finances everything! It was so important to protect our brand. We realised that to grow we had to get assistance and now I understand that booking
The CHESHIREMagazine Magazine| Regulars | Feature The CHESHIRE
over 70 flights a year is a job in itself! “Our core team have been very loyal to us and we still have more than 70% of the original staff at MOMO’s with us. Many of our management team have risen through the ranks organically and we pay fair wages and look after the team like they are our family. “Every year we close every single concept for a whole week - we fly everyone in, meet and party and re-group. It’s done of course to say thanks, but also to give us that time to reflect on the year before and make positive steps into the next 12 months. It’s what keeps us grounded as a company and as a team.” Tytherington-born Stephanie is still very hands on. Since her days at 16 as a Saturday worker whilst a student working at Arghi Bianchi’s in Macclesfield, this determined and driven young woman thrived off leading a team, building
rapport with customers and learning what truly makes an experience, an experience when it comes to working in the tough and unforgiving world of hospitality. Her tenacity and drive are inspiring to watch play-out as she mindfully keeps an eye on every exacting detail, as we are served our exquisite lunch at the artful, Belle Epoque-inspired THE DUCHESS. On plush velvet panelled seating, we dine off emerald marble tables, beneath bespoke chandeliers and with walls encased by work from renegade Dutch artist, Suzanne Jongmans. She and Yossi have curated every single detail and unlike emerging dining concepts winning applause amongst influencers and bloggers alike, it’s clear that social media hasn’t played its part (like so many) in creating this concept (you won’t find a flower wall in any of these restaurants). Thought, research, time and a good amount of passion are what have been brought together to get Nouveau-Nicoise cuisine-led, THE DUCHESS, its new one-star stature and its acclaim amongst the true style-setters in Amsterdam and beyond. As we finish lunch, the ever-understated and stylishly cool Stephanie shares another glimpse into her realms of glam, this time to the Martin Garrix exhibition as part of ADE that is taking place in the hotel lobby at The W. We glide past the creme de la creme of the electronic dance music world - prolific producers, A&R and industry names whilst sipping the finest champagne and trying to absorb every single moment. After our 48 hours in Amsterdam, we are back on a flight to Cheshire, leaving Stephanie and her enviable life behind. A few hours later whilst she is at dinner with The Jonas Brothers and David Guetta, a text comes through. It’s Stephanie, thanking the team for our ‘fun interview’, and that’s when it becomes very apparent that although Cheshire-born Stephanie may be living and shaping the high life, her feet are still very firmly on the ground. the-entouragegroup.com
25
ENTERTAIN. ENJOY. EXPERIENCE MANCHESTER ARENA IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST PRESTIGIOUS ARENAS IN THE WORLD, SO IT’S ONLY RIGHT THAT WE OFFER A CONCERT EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER! See the biggest & the best, live from the Arena’s luxurious premium hospitality zone. ‘The Prime Experience’ is perfect for wowing clients or rewarding staff with the best seats in the house! Secure one of our luxurious arena suites, either annually or for a single event and experience the very best Manchester has to offer, or gain unprecedented access to the best seats in the house by becoming a prime seat member. contact: hospitality@manchester-arena.com
prime-experience.com
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature
GREEN with envy Natalie Anglesey meets Baton Berisha and Sean Burbidge the driving force behind the new food lovers paradise that is The Ivy Spinningfields
T
he Ivy in London is one of my favourite restaurants. I was first taken there by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and subsequently met a host of showbiz glitterati at a series of private parties. My only complaint was that it was often difficult to get a table. So you can imagine my excitement this month at the opening in Manchester of The Ivy Spinningfields, part of The Ivy Collection. There’s no danger of unavailability here, according to Baton Berisha, Director of Operations for The Ivy Collection. “This is the largest restaurant to open in the UK in 2018, with space for approximately 535 covers housed over four different floors so there should be no problem - although it’s always wise to book in advance. However, we do welcome what we call walk-ins on the ground floor Brasserie.” We are already blessed with a plethora of good restaurants in Manchester, so I was interested to discover what precisely The Ivy
Collection was going to provide that we didn’t already enjoy? The epitome of cool, with control over 33 restaurants nationwide, Baton is genuinely enthusiastic about his latest project. “I’ve had my eye on Manchester for a long time as it’s such an interesting, metropolitan city. I’ve already eaten in most of the excellent restaurants here, but we’ll be offering Mancunians, and visitors to this great city, a completely new dining experience set across four fabulous floors in a prime location. The Ivy Spinningfields occupies an impressive, timberframed space within a new development, called The Pavilion, which is a haven of greenery located right in the heart of the city.”
“We want The Ivy Spinningfields to be a place that everyone can enjoy” Baton continues, explaining what we will find inside, “On the ground floor will be the traditional Ivy Brasserie, open all day, seven days a week, serving modern British classics. While on the first floor, The Dalton room is for those seeking a more exclusive experience. It can accommodate parties of up to twenty seated guests and will be available all day. With its floor to ceiling glass walls, guests will
27
be able to enjoy the views across Spinningfields.” I’d also heard about an exciting new departure for The Ivy Collection which Baton is keen to elaborate. “The second floor houses The Ivy Asia – a glamorous bar and restaurant.
The entire floor illuminated with a showstopping, semi-precious green stone floor, set against a striking antique gold mirrored bar, gold-gilt ceiling and luxurious Asian fabrics. The Geisha Room, a stunning private room with bespoke mirrored artwork, is also available to hire privately. So we’ll have two private rooms for those who want either private dining or to host a party. “Finally, on the top floor, our Roof Garden has a fully retractable roof and is open all year round. Their guests can enjoy food and cocktails amidst greenery, roaring fire- pits and colourful fabrics, creating an enchanting oasis in the heart of Manchester. We’re also arranging an exciting mix of guest DJs, and events to entertain our guests on each of its four floors.” It’s evident that the two main priorities in any successful restaurant are the food and the staff. The General Manager is Kate Cooper responsible for ensuring the wheels run smoothly. While Executive Chef Sean Burbidge is accountable for the overall menu for The Ivy Collection with Steve Scoullar as Senior Head Chef, Jason Annette as Head Chef and Luke Mason as Bar Manager.
28
At only thirty-seven, Baton is the head supremo in charge of developing The Ivy Collection and masterminding this new development. His own story is a remarkable one. “I was born into an intellectual family as my father is a scientist with a couple of degrees and my mother is a teacher. Originally I wanted to be a lawyer but we lived in Kosova, and twenty years ago, during the troubles, my parents sent me to this country for safety when I was only 15 years old. I spoke no English, had no money, and although I could speak Serbo-Croatian and Turkish - that was no help getting a job in London. “I had to find work to pay for food and lodgings, so I got a job washing the floors in a restaurant called Quo Vadis, moving onto glasses and dishes. I taught myself English, and within four months I graduated to being a sommelier, guiding guests on their choice of wine, and was able to start sending money home to my family.”
“I’ve had my eye on Manchester for a long time as it’s such an interesting, metropolitan city” From there, Baton’s C.V. reads like a good food guide as he worked his way up the ladder at among other restaurants, Quaglino’s, the Harrington Club, The Savoy Grill and the St Martin’s Lane Hotel. “I decided I wanted an overview of the industry ranging from good restaurants, night-clubs and hotels which proved a valuable experience. All the time I was meeting people who were the movers in the industry, and I finally found a home at The Ivy Collection.” Baton has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his chosen career and always held the credo that family is everything. He still sends money home to help them. He also really cares about the well-being of his staff. “We’ve employed 250 new staff in Manchester, and over the last six months I’ve been sending them to London to train and study why The Ivy has such a good reputation.”
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature
When I joke if he’s married to the job, Baton laughs out loud. “I know that’s what my wife thinks but she understands as she worked for me part-time in London while she was an architecture student! Holly and I have only married this August, and we brought some of my family over for the wedding. We’ll have another celebration in Kosova, but we’ve not even had time yet to have our honeymoon!”
The principal subject of food is in the capable hands of Executive Chef, Sean Burbridge, from Billingham in Stockton-on-Tees. At the age of fifteen, he was working part-time in a gastropub where he discovered his passion for good food. He trained locally before working his way around hotels in Yorkshire, and the Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, before moving to London to work at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. His culinary skills took him to Gordon Ramsay au Trianon at the Waldorf Astoria Trianon Palace Versailles where they were awarded their second Michelin star within 12 months of opening. He returned to London as Head Chef of Petrus in Knightsbridge before joining The Ivy Collection. “Being Executive Chef is an important role in the sense of bringing everything together,” Sean tells me. “ When you open a restaurant, it’s vital that the whole team, both front of house and back of house, support each other. I worked closely with Steve Scoullar, our Senior Head Chef and Head Chef, Jason Annette, to develop the menus and also helped with recruitment and staff training. I then visit all The Ivy Collection sites – sometimes announced and sometimes unannounced!” Sean is a hard taskmaster about standards.” I’ll be spending as much time as possible in Manchester in the coming weeks to offer any required support. We already have a great kitchen team behind us in Manchester, including Steve, who previously worked as Head Chef at The Ivy St Helen’s Square in York. The senior
29
Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine
kitchen team have been in training with us for between three to six months, and I have every confidence in them. And all our ingredients are carefully sourced from trusted suppliers.” With my mouth already watering at the thought I wondered what we could expect to eat on different floors? “I want our menus to be all-encompassing. So in The Ivy Brasserie, we’ll serve classic British dishes like slow-cooked shoulder of lamb as well as lobster linguine, and truffled orzo pasta. Our Brasserie menu, which is available on the ground floor and the Roof Garden, is similar to The Ivy Collection’s London menus. Our menus change seasonally, and so we opened in Manchester with our winter menu, featuring some new dishes to suit the season, including roast pumpkin soup and chicken bourguignon with chestnut mushrooms.”
Is there such a thing as The Ivy signature dish? “For me, a signature dish is a dish that you add to the menu, and it becomes so popular that you can’t take it off again. We have a few dishes on our menus which meet this criterion including our Ivy shepherd’s pie and iconic melting chocolate bombe. “ However, I gather there’s also a new departure for The Ivy? “ That’s right,” Sean replies.” On the second floor, there’s a brand
30
new Asian-inspired restaurant, bar and concept from The Ivy Collection. The Ivy Asia’s menu is completely new with Asian inspired cocktails and dishes including everything from flamed Wagyu beef to Thai sea bass with coriander. Many of these recipes our Head Chef discovered on his travels around Asia.”
The entire floor illuminated with a show-stopping, semi-precious green stone floor I decided to ask Sean the same question I put to Baton. As Manchester is a city full of good restaurants how can you compete with the others? “You’re right. Manchester has a thriving food scene and some great restaurants. We are looking forward to adding to the city’s existing offerings, providing guests with easy all-day dining, whatever the occasion. We are open seven days a week, from dawn until late, whether those living or working in the area are looking for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, cocktails or weekend brunch. Guests should expect good food and service alongside beautiful and striking surroundings. We are hoping to provide open dining for all occasions with a touch of glamour. We want The Ivy Spinningfields to be a place that everyone can enjoy.” Baton sums up: “We are incredibly excited to bring The Ivy Collection to Manchester, and we can’t wait to showcase our different dining concepts. We’ve already made contacts with local businesses and residents, and we look forward to meeting many new friends. We hope to bring something new and exciting to this fascinating city.” The Ivy Spinningfields, The Pavilion, Byrom Street, Manchester M3 3HG, www.theivymanchester.com, 0161 503 3222
Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine
Solace London Serafine Dress, £690 Rupert Sanderson Aurora Swarovski Pebble Suede Sandals, £635 Christopher Kane Devine Neoprene Crystals Cross Body Bag, £855
56
PARTY
POP
Prepare to get bold for the upcoming party season as pops of brights and encrusted embellished wonders take occasion dressing to brand new heights, circa Christmas 2018
This party season Coggles presents a carefully curated edit of show-stopping modern evening dresses, standout separates, and extra special suits for every event in your calendar. Wristlet bags and modern Cinderella shoes are the perfect finishing touch. With a VIP service and executive fitting room at their flagship store in Alderley Edge, Coggles is the ultimate destination for party dressing this Christmas. www.coggles.com
PHOTOGRAPHER: LOUIE BAILEY STYLIST: STEPHANIE HARRIS
Founded in 1974, Coggles is a luxury retailer with a difference. Based on a concept store philosophy, Coggles caters for every aspect of the customer’s life, emerging them in the world of luxury. With new launches this season from the likes of Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Stine Goya, Saks Potts and Mulberry, you’ll find a mix of established luxury and exciting emerging designers. Look out for exclusive collaborations from the likes of Coach, The Volon and M2Malletier that you won’t find anywhere else.
57
The Future’s
BRIGHT BMW’s futuristic i8 hybrid shows James Fossdyke that eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean dull.
S
ome things just don’t age. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, for example, looks as though it was built last week, but it’s now more than 20 years old. And don’t get me started on Madonna. She’s 60, apparently, but she looks about 35 to me. In the motoring world, meanwhile, the BMW i8 seems to have followed a similar ageing process. It’s hard to believe that this futuristic hybrid sports car is now more than four years old. Most manufacturers will indulge in a little nip-and-tuck surgery when one of its models hits the four-year mark. Maybe a new set of lights and bumpers, or perhaps a flash new interior. Understandably, though, BMW hasn’t felt the need for that. So instead, Munich’s finest have simply given us a convertible version. And it’s an incredible thing to behold. The i8 has always been cool, what with the twotone bodywork that makes it look as though the chassis is bursting out of the shell, but cutting away the roof has somehow made it even more jaw-dropping. The best bit (and probably the worst bit, but I’ll get onto that later) is the doors. They hinge from the sides of the windscreen, so they open up and out like some kind of Star Wars spaceship. No matter where you are if you
70
open the doors to an i8 Roadster, you’ll feel the gaze of every passer by. As you get in, you’ll slide back into luxuriously appointed and perfectly sculpted leather seats, while a digital instrument display and central media system greet you. Everything works and feels exactly as it should in a £125,000 drop-top sports car. Except for the starter button. Were this a Jaguar or a Mercedes, you’d push the button and wait for the inevitable
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Drive
cacophony of exploding petrol, but in the BMW your ears are assaulted with nothing but silence. That’s because the i8 is a plug-in hybrid, which means you can plug it in, charge it up and get yourself 33 miles of silent, zeroemission, engine-free motoring. If you start getting bolshie with the accelerator or the batteries run flat, however, all is not lost. There’s a 1.5-litre, 228bhp petrol engine there to offer a helping hand. As a result, this road-going spaceship managed to return 141.2mpg on the official
71
Drive | The CHESHIRE Magazine
economy test, and because it emitted carbon dioxide at a rate of just 46g per kilometre, it’s deemed green enough to scoot around London without incurring the Congestion Charge. But don’t be fooled by the numbers - this is still a sports car. In total, its hybrid system produces 369bhp (141 from the electric motors, 228 from the engine), and because the electric motors have so much low-down grunt, that’s enough for a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds. For those who love a stat, that makes this eco-friendly, Congestion Charge-dodging, planet-saving sports car just as fast as the Porsche 911 Carrera. BMW, though, doesn’t pride itself solely on performance figures or eco credentials. The German brand claims to make ‘the ultimate driving machine’, and the i8 delivers. As with so many of the great BMWs, you don’t really get into the driving seat so much as merge into the machine. The driving position, which is so often flawed in convertible sports cars, is brilliant, and the steering is like honey in your hands. It isn’t really an out-and-out sports car, but a brisk cruiser that car flows between bends with an impressively dismissive nonchalance. But before you rush to your local dealership with cash in hand, there are one or two issues you need to be aware of. Firstly, those stunning doors. Yes, their visual impact is epic, but because they open up and out, it’s astonishingly easy to bang your head on them as you get out. After a few bruises, you’ll have to devise your own strategy for
72
... that makes this eco-friendly, Congestion Charge-dodging, planetsaving sports car just as fast as the Porsche 911 Carrera alighting - I found rolling over the door sill was the best way of getting my 6ft 2in, 15st frame out of the driving seat. I’ll be honest; it wasn’t the smoothest exit, and the car’s aesthetic qualities ensured I had an amused audience. Secondly, it doesn’t feel quite as fast as the performance figures suggest. Maybe it’s the engine note, which has more in common with a VW Golf GTI than a Ferrari 812, but it doesn’t have the drama you might get from, say, a BMW M3 that costs half as much. You won’t get the claimed economy, either, unless you have impressive self-restraint, a short commute and a charging point in your garage. It’ll be more efficient than most sports cars, I grant you, but 140mpg is fanciful for most owners. Other niggles include the fact that the roof switch is far too well hidden, while the boot space isn’t what you might call cavernous. But despite all that, it’s hard not to have a soft spot for the i8. As a technical achievement, it’s outstanding. Little else has this much visual impact or this performance, let alone the environmental credentials. Best of all, though, the i8 shows us that although the future of motoring is far from certain, the world’s car manufacturers will make sure the roads are still graced with great design, great engineering and, perhaps most importantly, excitement.
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Promotion
The importance of updating a Will after major life events A recent claim on behalf of infant children for maintenance from their deceased father’s estate has highlighted the importance of keeping a Will up to date.
M
r Ubbi died unexpectedly in February 2015 when he was in the process of getting a divorce from his wife. He had one disabled child and a stepdaughter. He had been living simultaneously with Bianca Corrado, and had fathered two children who at the time of his death were aged three and six months. Mr Ubbi was described in court as living a ‘double life’, running two households to a high standard of living. His estate was valued at £3.4m. Ms Corrado originally sought a lump sum of £850,000 from Mr Ubbi’s estate under the Inheritance Act on behalf of her illegitimate children. They had not been provided for in his Will, which was dated August 2010. At one point during the process the claim had been as high as £2.3m. The court had to adjudicate on three significant areas of dispute between the parties: housing needs, childcare and private schooling. It eventually ruled that private education could not be included, and awarded Ms Corrado £386,000. The judge found there was “no expectation that the children would have been educated privately” and did “not accept that the provision of private education is a reasonable financial provision for the children”. Nazia Nawaz, a Senior Associate in the Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth, said thousands of families could face the same issue. Divorce and remarriage had become increasingly common in society, yet Wills were rarely updated after big life events. “It can be incredibly costly in the long run to let your Will languish with outdated information,” Nazia said. “In this case, the deceased led a double life and stayed married to his former wife while living with his mistress at the time of his death. It’s
vital to consider the consequences of staying married to someone when the relationship has broken down irretrievably, particularly if you then have a second family.” “This case also goes to show that whilst updating a Will may seem costly and timeconsuming from the outset, the fallout of leaving heirs and second families unaccounted for is much worse. Will disputes can have a devastating effect on families and can massively exacerbate existing tensions.” In evidence Mr Ubbi’s widow Susan said he had told her he did not intend to change the provisions in his Will, and his estate would be left to her so that she could provide for their son. She also said the couple had reconciled before his death and he had prevented her from divorcing him. But the judge did not accept that evidence. Nazia said: “It is not commonly known that getting remarried can invalidate a previous Will, leaving potential heirs with no option other than to pursue a claim. We strongly advise that a person’s Will is updated after every major life event, be that divorce, remarriage or death. That way the inevitable stress, cost and fallout from a Will dispute can be avoided.” Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth offer unrivalled guidance and advice to help you plan appropriately and make the right decisions at the right time. Contact Nazia on 0161 259 0854 nazia.nawaz@irwinmitchell.com www.irwinmitchellprivatewealth.com
Divorce and remarriage had become increasingly common in society, yet Wills were rarely updated after big life events 73
EXTRA TIMEWith Brian Horton
WORDS BY CRAIG HOUGH
With a playing and managerial career spanning over 50 years, the former Manchester City Manager discusses his lengthy career and his involvement with the NWFA. Who inspired you to pursue your career in football? My inspiration as a schoolboy was my Coach Ron Bullas who ran Cannock Athletic on a Saturday morning. Ron was also my school teacher at Blake High School, football crazy, and way ahead of his time in terms of his training. I broke into Walsall Football Club’s Reserve Team at 17, but by the end of the season was surprisingly given a free transfer and then let go. From there I began working in the building trade while continuing my playing career at Hednesford Town F.C part-time. This ended up working well for my career, as my body grew and became fitter, making me realise I had to work harder to become a professional footballer. In 1971 I had the opportunity to move to Port Vale to work under Gordon Lee (who went on to manage Blackburn and Newcastle), and he became a great inspiration to me as a Manager. What would you say were your career highlights? My highlight as a player would be achieving two promotions with Brighton and captaining Luton to the top league. As a Manager, my time at Manchester City was obviously a career highlight, as was achieving promotion in my first year at Hull while I was player-Manager. I was lucky that I had 5-year stints at three different clubs (Hull City, Oxford, Port Vale) all
74
with great Chairmen who trusted me and never interfered in the running of the club. That’s a rarity now. I’ve had over 1000 games as a Manager if I include my games as a player that number would rise to over 2000. How did you become involved in the NWFA? Each year the NWFA is one of the best football events I go to, a brilliant night out with faces from the TV and radio. I’ve been attending the dinner with my wife for many years, and one year the organisers approached me to join the panel of judges which I was more than happy to do.
“Each year the NWFA is one of the best football events I go to”
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Sport
Midlands) it would have to be Wolverhampton Wanderers. My Dad was a Wolves fan, and as a kid, I had a season ticket, so I went to every home game. They were one of the best teams in the league at the time, and my favourite player was Ron Flowers who was a wing-half, which in today’s game would be a midfield player.
What is your favourite part of the event? Personally, my favourite part of the night is the opportunity to present an award. I also like having the opportunity to meet up with ex-players and Managers that I don’t get to see throughout the year. It’s a big reunion, a fantastic football night. What do you think are the NWFA’s main achievements? I think the main achievements of the awards is their promotion of The Offside Trust organisation which was set up following the revelation of historic child sexual abuse. The Trust is led by exfootballer Steve Walters and former professional golfer Chris Unsworth, and they support survivors of abuse and work to ensure that children involved in sport are kept safe. The evening helps to raise awareness and funds for the organisation. Who do you support? That’s a tough question but I’d have to say growing up in Cannock (in the
Who would you choose to be in your Fantasy Football team, including manager? As Manager I would choose the following team; -Goalkeeper- Tony Coton (Manchester City) -Right Back- George Cohen (Fulham, England World Cup Winner) -Centre Back- Mike Lawrenson (Brighton) -Centre Half- Bobby Moore (West Ham, England World Cup Winning Captain) -Left Back- Ray Wilson (Everton, England World Cup Winner) -Right Wing- George Best (Manchester United) -Midfield- Bryan Robson (Manchester United) -Midfield- Glenn Hoddle (Tottenham Hotspur) -Left Wing- Bobby Charlton (Manchester United, England World Cup Winner) -Forward- Pelé (Santos, 3-time Brazil World Cup Winner) -Forward- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) www.northwestfootballawards.com
QUICK FIRE 5 Suit or Jeans? Suit. I’ve never worn a pair of jeans in my life Beer or wine? Lager Entertaining at home or dining out? Dining out, San Carlo in Hale is my favourite restaurant SUV or sports car? Sports car, I once treated myself to a Porsche Beach or city? Beach- Le Royal Meridien hotel in Dubai
75
Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine
Making the
WORLD Accessible
Realising the Potential As Variety, the children’s charity prepares to celebrate its 70th year in 2019 we reflect on this year’s spectacular Legends of Industry Awards and look forward with the charity’s new CEO, Frances Lang
T
he Legends of Industry Awards has become one of the region’s foremost events for business and for charity, offering a great evening for a great cause thanks to the dedicated team at Variety, the children’s charity and their supporters. The glittering 2018 event was no different, honouring those who have achieved outstanding success in their chosen fields and celebrating all that the charity stands for. Simon Merrett, Group Director of Cerberus Group, partnership sponsor to the Legends of Industry Awards sums up the event well. “For the past six years, we have been overwhelmed by all the wonderful recipients who are honoured and recognised by Variety, the children’s charity for the outstanding achievements in their chosen industries. “We have seen first hand all the great work Variety does here in the northwest helping so many sick disabled and disadvantaged children to have a much brighter future, and we will continue to support in any way we can in the future.” Alongside the celebrated award winners, the true star of the show this year, was Variety Young Ambassador, Dante Marvin, abright talkative and
very funny 10 year boy with Musculoskeletal Osteogenesis Imperfecta and scoliosis. Dante took to the stage to demonstrate his break-dancing skills much to the delight of the guests, and encapsulates everything that the charity is looking to achieve provide the support for sick, disabled and disadvantaged young people in order that they can realise their full potential and lead happy and full lives.
“It is all about making our world accessible to sick, disabled and disadvantaged young people” 110
This is something Variety’s new Chief Executive, Frances Lang, is passionate about, “I have only been in this role for ten weeks now but Legends is a celebration of the charity and the young people we help. Dante is a shining example of what we can achieve through the help of all our supporters. “I have been in the charity sector for four years now but I have always had a passion for helping young people and their families and this is what attracted me to Variety, the children’s charity. The charity is never short of people to help but it is about helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children along with their parents and siblings - the effects on which are often forgotten about. “This element of the charity’s work - supporting the whole family - really means a lot to me. I have a stepson who has profound special needs and has experienced first hand the challenges to ensure that he got what he needed. But we didn’t have anywhere near the number of challenges the families who come to Variety also have to endure. “Variety delivers this support through practical, tangible and immediate help from special projects, like transforming facilities at a special needs school to enrich the pupils’ lives to providing sports wheelchairs so that young people can realise their full potential and dreams. The transformations from often simple things are utterly breathtaking. It is all about making our world accessible, that is my passion and I am looking forward to supporting the amazing team we have here at Northwest to touch more lives in the coming year.” Do not miss out on one of the north west’s premier professional and charitable events. The 2019 Legends of Industry Awards night on Thursday 3 October 2019 is set to be even bigger and better as Variety, the children’s charity celebrates its 70th birthday. www.variety.org.uk OPPOPSITE PAGE: FRANCES LANG CEO, VARIETY, THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY WITH MARK ADLESTONE OBE THIS PAGE FROM TOP LEFT: DANTE MARVIN ON STAGE; LEGENDS OF INDUSTRY, AWARD 2018; MICHAEL JOSEPHSON MBE, PATRON OF VARIETY AND CEO OF VARIETY, FRANCES LANG; CERBERUS GROUP, PARTNERSHIP SPONSOR MAT HIRST WITH BRYAN ROBSON OBE
How to Support
Variety
,
The Children’s Charity From volunteering on a committee to offering pro-bono services to buying a ticket to one of the fabulous events, like the 2019 Legends of Industry Awards, you can support Variety in a number of ways. To find out more contact lyn.staunton@variety.org.uk 0161 989 1274
111
“A friendly, caring environment in which each girl can feel confident and flourish”
2019 ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS For Year 7 entry: Friday 11th January 2019
For Years 3-6 entry: Saturday 19th January 2019
To arrange a tour call 0161 249 3371 Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL
wgs1255_entrance-campaign-2018_297x210_v2.indd 1
To arrange a tour of the School please call 0161 249 3371
wgs.org
Means -tested bursaries available from Year 5 upwards
09/11/2018 09:35
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars
Local scene Our social pages this month are filled with fizz, fundraising and a whole lot of style
w
FAYE SHERLOCK, THE PLAGUE DOCTOR AND GABRIELLE SHAW A COUPLE OF GUESTS DON THEIR MASKS WITH THE PLAGUE DOCTOR
JONNY GOULD, JAMES HORROCKS AND OLIVER HILL
ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY THE BAND THE FOUR WISE MONKEYS
TESS HULSON, THE PLAGUE DOCTOR, SAF HULSON AND SARAH BARNARD
THE PLAGUE DOCTOR WELCOMING GUESTS TO OPERA GRILL
THE PLAGUE DOCTOR GREETS MORE GUESTS
KATE RENDER AND NICOLA ARROWSMITH
Seventy9 Social Members Monster Mash Their Way Through Halloween Opera Grill, Chester Professionals from around Chester donned their masks and makeup at the ‘Mask’s a Must’ ball for an evening of skeleton, shenanigans, Dracula and dancing at Chester’s Opera Grill. Halloween saw the Seventy9 Social group party into the early hours whilst being entertained by the live band, the Four Wise Monkeys. Guests were greeted by the infamous Plague Doctor (which caused a stir on Chesters streets a few years ago as part of the Big Heritage promotion), then settled in with champagne and canapés before enjoying the festivities of All-hallows eve. Search “Seventy 9 Social” on Facebook 113
Elle for Elle Charity Lunch hosted by The Cheshire Magazine Opera Grill, Chester A wonderfully colourful lunch hosted by The Cheshire Magazine to raise awareness for the plight of 3660 women housed in women’s refuges in the UK, many of whom have little or no access to toiletries and sanitary products, Elle Forelle aim to change that. The glittery event raised much-needed awareness for the charity along with creating new relationships for collection and distribution points for the products. www.elleforelle.org.uk
114
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars
115
CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH FUNDRAISER The Vine Brasserie ,Whitefield Hayley Rubens hosted a Ladies Charity Lunch in aid of raising the awareness of Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK (CMT) on Tuesday 23rd October at The Vine Brasserie in Whitefield, Manchester. Hayley’s son was diagnosed with CMT only this year at 19 years old after years of operations, tests and appointments with Doctors around the country. The event was organised by Kate Park Events and sponsored by SPL Foodsw. The drinks reception was kindly sponsored by Tanqueray Gin. The event was a huge success with 80 ladies attending and raising £12k for the much needed research in to the condition CMT. www.cmt.org.uk/fundraising www.kateparkevents.co.uk
116
117
PHOTOGRSAPHY: JAMES JEBSON PHOTOGRAPHY
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars
Matthew O’Brien launches flagship store in central Chester 16 Eastgate Row, Chester Award-winning fashion designer Matthew O’Brien held a VIP launch event for his long-awaited new flagship store. The three-storey emporium located at 16 Eastgate Row, in the famous Chester Rows, will house not only Matthew’s couture and bespoke collection but also a new bridal suite, menswear and ready to wear collection. The launch of the flagship store was attended by many of Matthew’s loyal clients and VIPs. Guests were able to preview the collection in the stunning showroom while enjoying champagne and canapes courtesy of Cheeky Chili events. www.mattobrien.co.uk
GEORGE STANYARD, RECRUITMENT TEAM LEADER
The Business Connection 30th Birthday EMPLOYEES, PAST AND PRESENT ENJOY THE PARTY
PAM WILCOX, JASON FOX, TIFFANY FOX
RACHEL RIZZOTTI, RECRUITMENT RESOURCER
118
PAM WILCOX, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Oddfellows, Chester Professionals from around Chester donned their masks and makeup at the ‘Mask’s a Must’ ball for an evening of skeleton, shenanigans, Dracula and dancing at Chester’s Opera Grill. Halloween saw the Seventy9 Social group party into the early hours whilst being entertained by the live band, the Four Wise Monkeys. Guests were greeted by the infamous Plague Doctor (which caused a stir on Chesters streets a few years ago as part of the Big Heritage promotion), then settled in with champagne and canapés before enjoying the festivities of All-hallows eve. www.tbc-recruit.com
A LEVEL
STUDENT REVISION COURSES Our courses will enable you to achieve your full potential in the forthcoming A level examinations. We offer a wide range of courses delivered by highly experienced tutors.
REVISION COURSES 2019
WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE US?
21st- 22nd February | February Half Term 8th - 11th April | Easter Holidays 28th - 29th May | May Half Term
• Small class sizes • Outstanding A level tutors • Structured sessions for all ability levels • Priority topics & exam technique covered • High quality student notes
Held at Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
Visit www.a-levelrevision.uk today to find out more. *Please note revision courses are run by A Level Revision UK and are not in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University
BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
Email: info@a-levelrevision.uk Tel: 01424 258 394
Follow us on:
Home & Garden News FINISHING TOUCHES
TheBERIBUSCIM very latest VOLUM news, advice and trends from the world ofQUAS interior design AD EXCESTIS MAIO ACCABOR MOD ET ACCULLUPTUS ET UT UNTIO EXCERERFERUM VELECTIOS MOLORE CORUM VOLUPTI AUT INVEL IUS APELIGNITIIS INIS NON CONEM IL IPSAM, CUPTATE MPELLOREMPOS EST UT ET RE RE, SAM LAUT QUUNTIOS MOD MAIO. ITAE QUISTOT ATEMPOR EHENDIT EIUNT
A Personal TOUCH
S
omerset-based furniture maker Cox & Cox is branching out into custom upholstery. The brand has launched a collection of sofas, ottomans, loveseats and armchairs, split into four categories. The Buttoned range offers a more traditional feel and includes a classic Chesterfield style with deep-buttoned detail, while the clean lines and aluminium legs of its Milano range have a more modern feel. All of the pieces are crafted in England, with every element from the sewing to the upholstery done by hand, so you’re assured of a top-quality finish. Choose from six colourways and two fabrics – cotton velvet or a cotton and linen blend – for each of the new styles. www.coxandcox.co.uk
Garden Variety Boxwild began when its founder Ben realised he was feeding his garden wildlife “better than [his] own family.” The brand now sells a range of wildlife gift boxes, subscription boxes and gifts for bird lovers, with bird seeds hand-blended in its kitchens in Surrey. The Winter Seed Blend’s mix of suets, high energy seeds and nuts is designed to help birds get through the toughest season of the year. Find it in the Fatty Box, with a selection of other bird treats. A 50p donation from every box sold goes to wildlife charities. Fatty Box, £25, www.boxwild.com
126
Homes and Interiors
COFFEE TABLE COUTURE
TECH TALK
This new tome, curated by design historian and French decorative arts specialist Maureen Footer, focuses on the two interior designers who Christian Dior worked with throughout his life. Victor Grandpierre and Georges Geffroy’s work brought the same spirit of glamour and romance to interior design as Dior did to the fashion world. The duo were known for their use of tiger velvet, antiques and saturated colours and Dior tasked with them designing everything from his couture house and private residence to his brand’s logo and signage. For a shortcut to designer style, think grey paint, white mouldings and Louis XVI chairs. Dior and His Decorators: Victor Grandpierre, Georges Geffroy, and the New Look, £50, www.vendomepress.co.uk
Technology giant Google has launched its latest device: the Google Home Hub. The compact seven-inch screen display with interactive voice technology and built-in Google Assistant allows you to control all your smart-home devices from lights to thermostats, ask questions, play music and view your photos. The far-field microphones mean you can even speak to the device from across the room, while a sensor automatically detects and matches over 16 million combinations of light and colour, so that whatever’s on screen will always look its best. £139 www.store.google.com
Paint by Numbers
ANTI-CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DE NIMES NO.299; TRERON NO.292; RANGWALI NO.296; TRERON NO.292
Luxury paint and wallpaper company Farrow & Ball has introduced its first new shades since 2016. The nine new tones include a muted rose, a sandy beige and a dark shade of olive green, named after Japanese tea leaves. A blend of up to five pigments makes up each shade. This depth of colour is particularly evident in the punchy pink, inspired by the powders used at the Holi festival of colours in India. The collection is 100% water-based, low-odour and eco-friendly, and finishes include a chalky matt and a more durable, washable emulsion. From £45 for Modern and Estate Emulsion finishes, www.farrow-ball.com
127
CASE STUDY
Feeding TIME Interior design studio Spatialized was tasked with transforming the Grade II listed former home of Chester Zoo’s founder into a stylish gastropub
C
hester Zoo has now opened its brand new gastropub The Oakfield to visitors, following an extensive £3 million restoration of the Victorian building at its heart. The red brick building was constructed circa 1885 by wealthy tea merchant and former Lord Mayor of Chester, Benjamin Chafers Roberts. After being used as a hospital during the First World War, the zoo’s founder George Mottershead bought the then-dilapidated Oakfield House with seven acres of land in 1930, for
154
£3,500. The zoo would formally open one year later. The first enclosures were built in the stable yard and the family shared their home with numerous animals over the years, from Rob-Rob the blue and red macaw to Christy the lion, who was hand-reared by the Mottersheads after the death of her mother. The design studio tasked with transforming the interiors, Spatialized, felt the presence of these former inhabitants keenly. Claw marks remain in some parts of the house - a feature too charming to erase, according to Adam Clayton, associate director of Spatialized. ”It was hard not to be enchanted by the building’s history,” continues Clayton. “It felt right to work with the details we inherited.” The building’s history and Grade II listed status played a big part in the transformation, which means visitors can now dine in the former family rooms, including Mottershead’s library with its fireplace and woodpanelled walls.
Homes and Interiors
“Preservation is key in instances such as this,” says Clayton. “We were gifted with some beautiful pieces at Oakfield, from fireplaces to cornices, and I’m sure any designer would agree they only improve a scheme. Where new additions or modern pieces were required, we tried to be sympathetic to the building and apply finishes that would suit the space.” There is one significant new feature, however - a light-filled space dubbed the Garden Room, thanks to its views over the expansive lawn area. “It’s linked to the original building with a seamless glazed extension,” says Clayton. “This sets the modern addition apart from the original premises, so the detail of the beautiful building isn’t hidden or lost. It’s our contemporary take on what the original owners would potentially have done to the house today,” he adds. As for the colour palette, it remains largely neutral with contemporary greys and greens used throughout. “Stronger tones were used in the hallway areas and boardroom to give a sense of grandeur and occasion, while softer tones have been used in dining areas to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere,” says Clayton. The
155