Rob’s Round up
One of my favourite times of the year is here; the moment I get to sit back, reflect on the whirlwind that was 2025 and write directly to all of you, our amazing, loyal customers.
I hope your Christmas was full of joy, laughter and maybe just a little too much pudding. As I write this, we’re knee-deep in festive chaos, turkey up to our eyeballs, crackers exploding left and right, but honestly, we love it. Christmas in hospitality is like running a marathon while juggling flaming mince pies… and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Seeing you all celebrate with family and friends makes the madness magical.
Now, let’s talk about 2025. In short: bonkers, but the good kind.
We opened The Peacock at Owler Bar on 11th December 2024 (because who doesn’t love a December launch?) and then, just to keep things spicy, completed the lease of The Peacock at Rowsley on 31st January 2025. After a Concorde BGW makeover, we reopened in March. Sure, there were a few “acquisitional challenges” (translation: sleepless nights and extra coffee), but now Rowsley is flying high with our new General Manager, Catherine Coch and culinary wizard Simon Harrison, formally of Losehill House and Deacons Bank, Michelin-recommended and rosettes galore.
Our team? Bigger and better than ever. We brought finance, payroll and marketing (including digital) all in-house, because why not add a few more spinning plates? In March, Victoria Cone became a director (well-deserved and a lifesaver), and we welcomed Andy Shiel-Redfern as Head of Commercial, someone I’ve worked with on and off for 20 years. Then in August, Katie Angrave, formerly Wedding & Events Manager at The Maynard, stepped up as Head of Marketing. Growth brings opportunity, and we’re all about promoting from within. It’s good for culture, morale and frankly, saves us from writing endless job ads. Longbow was started because of people and I whole-heartedly believe that we have the best bunch out there.
Awards? Oh yes, we had a few nights out in fancy clothes. We were shortlisted nationally for:
- The Wedding Industry Awards – Best Hotel Wedding Venue (The Maynard)
- The Great British Pub Awards – Best Country Pub (The Ashford Arms)
- The Publican Awards – Best Employer & Best Food Offer
Did we win? Nope. Did we enjoy the open bars? Absolutely. And Victoria and Katie even got shortlisted for the East Midlands Enterprising Women in Business Awards, because they’re brilliant.
But we didn’t leave empty-handed:
- Derbyshire Tourism Awards – Bronze for New Tourism Business (The Ashford Arms), Silver for Pub of the Year (The George), Bronze for Taste of Derbyshire (The Maynard), and Silver for Tourism Young Achiever (Ben Barber).
- Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025 (second year running!)
- Visit Britain – Green Tourism (Great for sustainability)
- Westside & Southside Restaurant Awards – Best Sunday Lunch (The Ashford Arms), Restaurant of the Year (The Peacock at Rowsley), Best family favourite (The Maynard).
- Trip Advisors’ Best of the Best – Ashford Arms – Top 1% of restaurants worldwide
Celebrating Restaurant of the Year for The Peacock at Rowsley
And here’s something we’re especially proud of; our commitment to giving back. This year, we raised an incredible £15,000 for charity through our Hero Desserts initiative and table donations to Ashgate Hospice. Plus, we laced up our boots for an epic 29km walk, raising £6,500 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Blisters aside, it was worth every step. Supporting local causes is part of who we are, and we’ll keep finding creative ways to make a difference.
The Longbow team taking on the charity walk in September.
On top of that, Stephen and I have been getting involved with Lady Manners School, taking part in assemblies and events to promote hospitality as an amazing industry to be in. We’ve loved inspiring the next generation, because let’s face it, hospitality isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle (and occasionally a workout).
Now, let’s get real for a second. Hospitality is tough right now. April’s budget hit hard and the upcoming business rates reform will hit harder. Eight pubs a week are closing—that’s heartbreaking. Our rateable value at The George soared 318%, which led to me venting on X (formerly Twitter)… and somehow ending up on BBC Breakfast, Times Radio and The Guardian. So please, support your local pubs and restaurants. January is brutal and we want these businesses thriving well into 2026.
Speaking of supporting, we are supporting our customers and giving back for all the support you give us. We launched My Longbow to reward loyalty: points for future purchases, free monthly drinks, £10 credit when you subscribe, plus exclusive offers like January discounts and cash vouchers. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, now’s the time.
Looking ahead? Buckle up. 2026 is going to be epic. We’ve got brilliant events at The Maynard, amazing wedding offers and the grand opening of The Charleston in Bakewell, a 1920s-inspired Art Deco bar and restaurant in the former RBS building. Think brunch-to-brasserie, trendy coffee, classic American cocktails, 40 wines by the glass and live music every night. Basically, the place to be. Stay up to date with the social media accounts for exciting updates.
Set to open in early 2026, The Charleston is on the horizon.
Finally, a moment of reflection: six years in business. Sometimes I forget how far we’ve come until I write something like this. None of it would be possible without you, our loyal customers, our incredible suppliers and most importantly our phenomenal team. I’m proud beyond words.
An enormous thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there for us.
Here’s to a wonderful 2026.
Happy New Year!
Rob, Stephen, Victoria, Adrian and the whole Longbow team
