Premier Hospitality

The Maynard Grindleford Peak District

Maynard
Written by Roma Publications

The Maynard

The Maynard, an 18th century property in Grindleford in the Peak District, has been brought back to life with a £70k funding boost from NatWest, and has unveiled a new restaurant and bar, ballroom and garden area.

Rob Hattersley, owner of The Maynard, said: “I was looking for a venue of my own, and I’d always wanted a hotel in the area I grew up in – the Peak District. This building came up and I grabbed the opportunity to take the lease on. The area is a great for tourism and hospitality, but I think there’s a lack of great venues around the Peak District, and the building for the Maynard had such fantastic features; it seemed like an opportunity not be missed.”

The refreshed restaurant now has 110 covers and serves ‘fresh and locally-sourced food’, and work is also underway to convert a disused function room into a new bridal suite and an additional bedroom, bringing the total number of bedrooms to 12.

“In terms of refurbishment, everything was very dated and it needed updating not just visually, but in dynamics too,” Rob said. “We needed to make the bar more accessible, altering the restaurant to get more covers in, and changing the lighting to match the mood was another task.

“The highlight of The Maynard is really that the hotel is a fantastic feature building, whilst also having a modern edge to it in keeping the heritage of the building alive. This project means everything to me, it’s a project of passion, and I’ve been able to use the experience I’ve had over the years to create a hotel in my vision, and that’s the most satisfying thing about it all.”

PREMIER HOSPITALITY spoke to David Oulsnam of Oulsnam Design about the design of the hotel in more detail.

How did you get involved with the project?

“We had previously worked on the Maynard for the previous owners 12 years ago, when we designed and refurbished all of the public areas and the 10 bedrooms. It has been a pleasure working with Robert, who appointed us to update the main bar, restaurant and ballroom.”

What needed to be carried out in the project?

“We started with the bar counter by creating a new extended area for a purpose designed coffee station and a range of stainless steel bar tender units from IMC providing a more workable bar counter with a cocktail station and space for a large range of cask ales and lagers.

“Our interior designers then added the new decor, flooring, lighting and furniture including a curved booth and straight fixed seating to the restaurant supplied by Style Matters. The new raised area in the restaurant and taking the lounge area as more restaurant space increased the restaurant to a total of over 100 covers. The ballroom received a new colour scheme and the spray painting of the oak wall panelling improved the first impressions of this large space, particularly for their wedding business.”

Is there anything left to do?

“We are currently working on a new bridal suite and a new standard bedroom scheme, and some exciting ideas for the spacious garden for a fire pit, terraces with extra covers for the restaurant by Easter.”

To find out more about The Maynard, please visit www.the-maynard.com.

Maynard

Tom Rice

I started my building company in Bakewell 5 years ago, having spent the previous 10 years either side of building studies at university working for a long-established, well-respected and late-lamented builder in mid-Derbyshire.

We specialise in extending, remodelling and repairing residential, domestic and commercial properties. We work almost exclusively in stone in the Peak District and primarily in brick in North East Derbyshire.

I first encountered Rob Hattersley on the rugby field 20 years ago when I was an opposing hooker plying the dark front-row arts.

When Rob acquired The Maynard Arms in 2019 I was delighted to be invited by Rob to contribute to its modernisation by re-modelling parts of the interior.

The Maynard Arms is a handsome hotel constructed in stone in the Edwardian era in a prominent position with glorious countryside views surrounding the River Derwent. It is within walking distance of Grindleford station with easy access by rail to Sheffield and Manchester as well as to other Peak District villages. I have been excited and flattered to be involved with such an iconic property which has over a century’s tradition of social and sporting connections. The memorabilia on display from Don Bradman’s visits are a special thrill. Rob is preserving the best of the hotel’s traditions and superimposing his own contemporary eclectic stamp.

I shall follow the success of The Maynard Arms in the hands of Rob Hattersley with great enthusiasm.

 

 

 

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Roma Publications