IT'S ENGLISH TOURISM WEEK and the first ever time that this annual week, which celebrates all that is fantastic about tourism in England, is being held virtually due to the coronacoaster. Who would ever have thought that Imperial Hotel would be closed for the Spring Bank Holiday and Whitsun week? VisitBritain has released some facts and figures which show just why tourism is one of England’...

What do you do when your hotel is closed by the government? A bit like what you're probably doing at home during this coronavirus crisis. Some decorating, a whole load of tidying and sorting things in cupboard that you'd forgotten you had, quite a lot of cleaning and a fair amount of DIY and chucking things in skips. Nick's been playing his bagpipes and growing his hair as well - he's vowed not to...

We had all sorts of things planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8 May and all weekend, with a fun 1940s themed dinner and dance with a really special 1940's inspired menu.  But sadly, our weekend break of celebrations and fun was not to be, due to the coronavirus crisis and the hotel being closed. But not everything was cancelled. With a week or so to go, Aileen persuaded...

Nick’s love affair with wine started as an undergraduate at university whilst a student at the Hotel School in Scotland. In his first year, Nick studied the art of wine tasting under a lecturer by the name of Jim Steel. There were 2 lectures per week, part tasting, part theory. He remembers vividly that they were every Tuesday at 11am – it would never happen now! Jim Steel was a veritable...

It's a very strange world where the hotel and the restaurants are all closed to the public.  We can't really think of a time when our kitchens have ever been so silent, our ovens cold and no-one able to enjoy the view from The Terrace.  Our hearts were gladded and our spirits lifted when we saw the Baking A Difference initiative bringing smiles to key-worker's faces, right across the local...