DEC 2018 / JAN 2019 s ISSUE 060
Snow SEEKER
WINTER WEDDING Planning tips from proposal to party
Essential style both on and off the slopes
KITCHEN
Architecture Beautiful kitchens this Christmas
Party
SEASON
Unwrapped Top tips from professionals to create a season of comfort and joy
Janey Butler Interiors & Llama Architects form part of the Llama Group. Creating award winning residential and commercial projects in the UK and abroad.
I n t e r n at i o n a l A wa r d W i n n i n g A rc h i t e c t s & D e s i g n e r s The Coach House, Capesthor ne Hall, Nr Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK11 9JY
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When you choose Delamere Manor for your Cheshire wedding venue, the stunning Manor house, beautiful guest suites and exceptional grounds become exclusively yours for the most important and special day of your life. In fact, Delamere Manor (in our humble opinion!) is one of the North West’s most spectacular exclusive use wedding venues. Whether you’re looking
for an intimate service or extravagant celebration, Delamere Manor has the perfect space for your big day. There are four licensed and flexible spacesfor outdoor wedding ceremonies and a fifth within our covered Courtyard. Our stunning wedding venue in Cheshire was recently awarded ‘North West’s Most Romantic Wedding Venue’ by the English Wedding awards.
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The Contributors
Where to find us... CHESTER Abode Hotel 1539 Restaurant Boodles Chester MediSpa Gieves & Hawkes Oddfellows Opera Bar & Grill The Pied Bull The Inspiring Travel Co.
DEC 2018 / JAN 2019 s ISSUE 060 s
Managing Director Kathryn Otto Publisher
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Scott Illingworth-Harrison
Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar David M Robinson
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MANCHESTER David M Robinson Gotham Hotel Great John Street Hotel Harvey Nichols Hilton Manchester Deansgate King Street Townhouse Mappin & Webb Rosso Restaurant Bar & Grill Watches of Switzerland 20 Stories
Natalie is an author, broadcaster and journalist as well as a television producer and director. This month she chats with Mark Williams, the new Dr Doolittle in the colourful spectacular coming to the Lowry Theatre this Winter.
M J Greenhalgh & Leila Bibby MJ and Leila are passionate about all things fashion and beauty. A few of their favourite British things include strawberries and cream, holidays to north Wales and wonderful summer events.
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Kevin Evans Laura Garner Glyn Davies Brand Ambassador Sarah Irlam Designers Paris Fielder Kate Woods Picture Editor
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Rebecca Underwood is a travel journalist, born in Blackpool, educated in Brighton and London, attended Westminster University and achieved a BA Hons in the Arabic language. Favourite destination: Kenya.
Francesca Lee-Rogers is a luxury lifestyle journalist and has previously managed a portfolio of titles. She takes a keen interest in writing about food, travel and wellness.
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Ways to Unwind into 2019 We look at three of the best ways to unwind into the new year
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Ashtanga Yoga Having practised with some of the finest instructors from around the globe, James Henson brings his experience to the North West to teach Ashtanga Yoga from beginners to advance level. Taking a holistic approach to the traditional Ashtanga sequence, James modifies his teaching for your specific needs, whether you are looking to increase flexibility, stability and strength or improve posture. James currently teaches a weekly class in Manchester city centre but also offers private lessons and one to one tuition. Book your class today: E: jameslawrencehenson@gmail.com T: 07792934240
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I also get to sing the famous hit song, I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It In My Life!” Other well-known television roles Brian’s appeared in include Grange Hill and Where The Heart Is. His theatre credits include performing in Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre- although he’s most proud of the fact that he was a finalist in Celebrity Masterchef! When I tell Mark that in a previous production I’ve seen, Polynesia the parrot was voiced by Julie Andrews, he grins. “Well we’ve got Vicky Entwistle doing that who is probably best known for her role as Janice Battersby in Coronation Street and we’ve worked together in Father Brown.” Does the parrot have a Northern accent I wonder? Mark smiles mischievously. “Well, you’ll have to come to see the show to find out!” If you’re still vague about the story then eccentric Doctor Dolittle embarks on an extraordinary adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail which holds the secret of life and makes the world a happier place. Helped by his human companions, and an exotic menagerie of animal friends including his trusty sidekick Polynesia the parrot, Doctor Dolittle teaches us not only to talk to the animals but to listen to them as well! Mark reiterates: “This show has everything from a storm at sea to a Noah’s Ark of animals and lots of adventures. We really want this show to be magical and we’ve got a great cast on stage and a superb creative team behind us. “ As I mentioned Leslie Bricusse has written the book, as well as the music and lyrics for more than forty musical films and plays. His stage musicals include Stop the World - I Want to Get
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Off, Pickwick, Harvey, Goodbye, Mr Chips, Scrooge and Victor/Victoria. While films include Scrooge, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Goodbye, Mr Chips, Superman, Victor/Victoria, Home Alone 1 & 2, Hook, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, The Last Emperor and various Pink Panthers. As well as winning two Oscars, he’s won a Grammy and eight Ivor Novello Awards. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing him and he’s incredibly modest about his amazing body of work.
“I don’t want to simply do an imitation of what Rex did in the film” This new stage production of Doctor Dolittle has a creative team of the highest calibre. It’s directed by Christopher Renshaw (Zorro, Taboo, We Will Rock You, The King and I), with choreography by Josh Rhodes (Carousel, Sweeney Todd, Company for PBS, Cinderella and Bright Star on Broadway). The design is by Tom Piper (Associate Designer at the RSC 2004 - 2014,) who designed the installation for the Tower of London poppies and Poppies by Paul Cummins). Mark reminds me that puppets have been used in theatre for centuries. “The innovative puppet design is by Nick Barnes, and you can watch these puppets appear to come alive with puppet direction by Jimmy Grimes. But then something magical seems to happen to me on stage when, as an actor, I just don’t see the person manipulating them- just the dog or the parrot!” Why should people come to see this show? Mark enthuses: “When I was first asked to play this role I immediately thought yes! This is exactly the right time for this joyous, life-affirming story. Doctor Dolittle is, just like the rest of us, wondering about creation and our place in it. I just hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do.” Doctor Dolittle is at The Lowry 11 December – 5 January 2019, thelowry.com
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05/09/2018 17:26
Big
Ambitions Meet the Cheshire business owners who are going for growth
also lease machines and operatives into the TV and film industry meaning we had a front seat at this year’s royal wedding.
Where next – what are your ambitions for 2019?
Following the merger, we’re currently going through a rebrand process and my focus is making sure our people feel empowered and part of one ambitious business pulling in the same direction. Culture is key and we are working with every employee to build the career they want with us at NSS Group. My big goal is beyond this year and I have a mission to create 1,000 jobs by 2021. I hardly recognise the business I was leading just a few years ago.
And what about out of the office? What do you do to relax and recharge?
Anyone who does business with us knows my right-hand man, Boris. Boris is a poodle and he joins me in the office every day - the team and clients all prefer him to me, but you can’t blame them! Taking him out for a walk really helps me
“BGF funding has unlocked the business’ potential and we 32
FAR LEFT TOP: NSS GROUP’S 47M BRONTO SKYLIFT PROVIDED THE PERFECT PLATFORM FOR SKY NEWS FILMING OF THE ROYAL WEDDING THIS YEAR. FAR LEFT BOTTOM: BORIS, NIEL’S PET POODLE
Tell us about your year in business…
My company is an ‘at height’ property maintenance specialist. We can repair or maintain any part of a building’s façade. We’ve had a stronghold in the North West for a number of years but in 2016, I made the decision to kick on towards a national expansion. We attracted investment from BGF and went on to buy two businesses taking us in to Scotland and the entertainment and sports sectors. This year, we turbo-charged that growth by merging with NWC Group. Now a £30m turnover facilities management business, there are too many highlights to mention. We work with the biggest players in the property industry to help maintain their estates, retail chains, high-end and (literally) high residential and we
ENJOYING THE OPEN SEAS WITH SON MAX IN CANNES
N
iel Bethell is CEO at NSS Group based in Hale. BGF invested in his business, High Access in 2016. In 2018, High Access merged with another BGF-backed company NWC Group to create NSS Group. BGF is the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses and has a team based in Manchester. Niel speaks to The Cheshire Magazine about his business and what his plans are for the year ahead.
to step away for some time-out. The only way I really switch off is to leave Cheshire and I try to get away once a month. I have a place in Cannes and a boat which I move around the South of France. After my kids and Boris, it’s my pride and joy. Sailing works for me in a number of ways. From the boat I had in Abersoch ten years ago to sailing ‘Plan C’ now, it’s the same sense of freedom and clarity that makes this my go-to. Spending time in France, I’ve met so many like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders from the UK who are now friends. We do talk about our businesses and share ideas - so I suppose we never really switch off completely. Clare Roberts is CEO at family-owned Kids Planet. Following investment from BGF, the Cheshire-headquartered nursery business has grown quickly and celebrated its tenth year in 2018. BGF is the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses and has a team based in Manchester. We talk to Clare about the year that’s been and what her ambitions are for 2019.
Tell us about your year in business…
It’s been a whirlwind year with some really significant milestones for Kids Planet. Now with 32 nurseries operating across the region, we’ve hit a decade of business and hired our 1000th employee. We’ve made five new acquisitions and taken further investment of £6.5m from BGF to accelerate our growth. Celebrating our tenth birthday was a real highlight. Hosted by comedian Russell Kane at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, we used the opportunity to honour our amazing teams with internal awards for our brightest and best.
Where next – what are your ambitions for 2019?
More growth. BGF funding has unlocked the business’ potential and we have big ambitions to work hard to continue to expand. Our pipeline for 2019 is already really strong as the demand for outstanding childcare continues to grow. 95% of our nurseries inspected since 2012 have
L-R: BEN BARKER BGF WITH CLARE ROBERTS AT KIDS PLANET
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CLARE AND FAMILY IN NYC
CLARE AND RUSSELL KANE AT KP 10TH BIRTHDAY
been awarded Oustanding by Ofsted. Our challenge is to quickly bring the new sites we acquire up to our own standards.
And what about out of the office? What do you do to relax and recharge?
I clear my head while I’m running and am planning to do the Manchester Marathon again in 2019. I choose not to listen to music and even though I feel like I’m switching off, by the end of a run, I’ll often have come up with the idea or solved the problem I’ve been wrangling with. I have three kids (aged 11, 7 and 5) and we love to travel with them and the rest of the family. I didn’t ski growing up but am a keen skier now so my husband and I take them skiing every year to build their confidence. My own skiing is improving and find my confidence builds throughout the day depending on how many bars we’ve stopped at. We’re flying to Switzerland on Boxing Day this year – I can’t wait. Last year, we went to New York and Mexico over Christmas. It’s the one time of year that the business slows down slightly.
have big ambitions to work hard to continue to expand.” 33
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Keeping you up to date with all the latest motoring and technology news WORDS: JAMES FOSSDYKE
POWERTRIP Audi’s futuristic R8 now comes with even more get-up-and-go
A
nyone who has had the pleasure of driving the current Audi R8 probably wouldn’t complain of a power shortage from its howling 5.2-litre V10 engine. But Audi has created this new version, which comes with – you guessed it – more power. The ‘basic’ version gets an extra 30bhp, bringing the total to 562, which is enough for a top speed of around 200mph and a 3.4-second 0-62mph time. And if for some reason, you want something even faster, you can have the V10 Plus model, which is 10bhp more potent than its predecessor, with 612bhp on tap. That’ll take you to 62mph in 3.1 seconds and on to about 205. But it isn’t just the engines that have been updated. The new car has a fresh look, with a wider grille flanked by massive air intakes, while the rear has two enormous exhausts beneath another colossal grille. The final effect is a car that looks
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wider, flatter and more purposeful than its predecessor, which was hardly a tractor in the first place. And Audi says the racing intent runs more than skin-deep. There’s a new steering system designed to make the new R8 more engaging to drive, and new electronics mean the brakes stop the car faster. As before, the R8 will be available in hard-top coupe and soft-top convertible guises when the order books open next year.
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring
Might is Right Just in case anyone thought the X5 wasn’t quite big enough, BMW has unveiled a new, even larger SUV called the X7. On sale in April with a £72,000 price tag, it’s Munich’s answer to the Range Rover and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Highlights include “full-size” seats in the boot, making it capable of carrying seven adults, as well as a standard-fit glass roof and a digital instrument display for the driver. Of course, luxury touches such as leather upholstery and satellite navigation are included in the price tag, as is a 262bhp 3.0-litre diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
SHARP STYLING
loves
If you want a premium coupe, you go for a German one. BMW 4 Series, Audi A5, Mercedes C-Class Coupe... it’s just the done thing. But Japanese company Lexus wants to change all that with the new RC. The company’s nowtrademark features of sharp creases and enormous front grilles ensure it looks the part, while hybrid power is there to ensure it ticks the performance and economy boxes.
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INTERVIEW
UBER
Chic
UBER ‘signature’ look, as every brief and project requirement is unique. We work with clients to amplify and enhance not only their own style but also to ensure that the schemes are sympathetic to the property and its surroundings. Lifestyle is a huge part of what we do too, we take the time to really
We sent Danielle Mullen to catch up with Simon Evans, Founder and Director of trail-blazing interior designer practice, Design by UBER.
A
s the practice responsible for creating exceptional interiors across Europe, Africa and the US, covering everything from residential to commercial projects, new build residencies, period renovations, penthouse apartments and luxury yachts, it is fair to say that Cheshire based interior designers, Design by UBER, are rather a big deal. Known for their ability to perfectly balance the classic and contemporary while flawlessly fusing styles to create utterly unique spaces, I was intrigued to find out more. As I settled into the luxurious surroundings of their retail showroom near Knutsford, I was keen to discover Simon’s design philosophy. He steers away from being pigeonholed explaining that clients need not expect UBER to provide an “off the peg” design solution. “There is no
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understand how our clients live to create schemes that will help enable an incredible lifestyle.” says Simon. Speaking to him it also became refreshingly clear that he does not view world class design as the exclusive domain of the elite, he is driven by the desire to deliver the same standard of excellence to all. So the secret of his success? “Well” explained Simon “Creativity and innovation are the cornerstones of great design, but there are so many other elements that are critical to ensure the smooth running of a project from concept to completion. I am proud of the team that I have around me, and I think one of our great strengths is the
Homes and Interiors
diversity of skills which we have under one roof. We can offer the technical proficiency to work seamlessly with architects and other industry professionals, while our designers always show meticulous attention to detail enhancing every element of a project. We are also pretty unique in that we create 3D photo-realistic renders of each project which enable our clients to view the schemes for their homes even before construction.” The formidable team Simon has amassed around him work on a diverse range of projects, locally, nationally and internationally. Design by UBER has the size and scope to be able to work on an average of 30 different projects at any given time. To date, they have completed over 325 projects worldwide, and their approach is definitely reaping the rewards. In the decade since their inception, Design by UBER has a plethora of national and international design awards under their belt. Which are Simon’s favourite projects, I was keen to know? “I am not sure that I have a favourite, each one is so unique that they all have special memories for me. I suppose one that I am especially proud of is the ‘man cave’ - a subterranean space which we transformed into what is best described as the ultimate boy’s toys trophy cabinet – complete with a revolving turntable for displaying a McLaren 650S! The reason why I am so proud of this project was that the space planning and technological complexity of this venture was groundbreaking and had to be meticulously planned. It was only due to the technical
skills of my team that it was possible at all. At the other end of the scale, I also enjoy seeing beautifully designed spaces - a classic case in point was the turnkey design for an apartment within a beautiful Victorian building. I am a huge advocate of bringing contrasts to design as they add flavour and excitement, and this apartment was a masterclass in creating elegant and timeless spaces with the use of contrasting textures and accent colours.” Under Simon’s guidance, The Design by UBER brand has been going from strength to strength, but he has no intention of resting on his laurels. Not surprisingly, with design so squarely in his DNA, Simon expanded his brand and created an UBER go-to interiors inspiration website, uberinteriors.com, featuring a veritable cornucopia of beautiful products handpicked by the Design by UBER team, from furniture and lighting to accessories and gifts. He is already lining up his next series of endeavours and, as our meeting draws to a close, he explains that he is now on his way to the airport. He is heading to Munich where he is in the throes of managing another mammoth project, a refurbishment of an iconic historic building into a world-class bar and grill. www.designbyuber.com www.uber-interiors.com
“Creativity and innovation are the cornerstones of great design” 125