Latest news with #HotelduVin
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
James Martin's eye-watering fortune and how he 'nearly missed out on mortgage'
James Martin has become a household name thanks to his cooking shows and restaurants, but he has opened up about his money worries after 'taking a risk' with his first venue James Martin has candidly revealed his financial challenges after taking a gamble by venturing into the restaurant business. The TV chef, 53, reflected on his journey with "complete faith" in each establishment since launching his culinary career at the Hotel du Vin in 1994. The acclaimed chef maintains that the key to making a restaurant successful is sheer "hard graft", although he acknowledges the inevitable element of "risk" in opening a new venue. In an interview with The Times, James shared: "Ever since I opened my first place at the Hotel du Vin in 1994 I have gone in with complete faith in myself and the people I'm working with. Making it work is not about money, it's about belief and it's about hard, hard graft. "Yes, you're taking a risk, but you take that risk knowing that you will win. If I had any doubts at all, I wouldn't be doing this job." Despite the initial hardships, James credits the triumph of his first restaurant with enabling him to take his first steps onto the property ladder. He recounted his struggle to secure a mortgage, having accumulated enough for a deposit yet lacking sufficient years of accounts, reports Yorkshire Live. He continued: "They wanted three or four years of accounts. I finally went into the Bristol and West Building Society on the high street. Luckily, the lady I spoke to had seen me on telly and thought I had 'longevity'. I walked out of there with £150,000 to play with." James disclosed that he initially purchased a modest three-bedroom flat across from the local estate agent. This humble beginning is a stark contrast to the plush seven-bedroom Hampshire residence he occupies today, complete with a sprawling 1.5-acre garden and a greenhouse. The property is equipped with a swanky outdoor kitchen featuring a massive wood-fired pizza oven, an island and striking green industrial-style lamps. Notably, James Martin's Saturday Morning is produced on a dedicated set constructed within his premises. James has been a staple on our TV screens since his debut on Ready Steady Cook back in the 1990s. He launched his own food series, James Martin: Yorkshire's Finest, in 1996. His career progressed as he co-hosted BBC Food's Stately Suppers with Alistair Appleton and made contributions to the Richard and Judy show. In 2006, James took the helm at BBC's Saturday Kitchen. He stayed with the programme until 2016 and kicked off Saturday Morning the following year. Just last month, James revealed his plans to take a summer hiatus. He commented: "That is also for the series. Me and the crew are heading off on sunny holidays. Different climates." While James soaks up the sun on holiday, his show continues to grace screens every Saturday morning at 9.30am on ITV One.
Scotsman
18-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
The luxury hotel just yards from St Andrews' Old Course that has completed £1.1m transformation
The hotel in St Andrews is situated just yards from the Old Course. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A luxury hotel in St Andrews has completed a £1.1 million transformation. Hotel du Vin St Andrews has revamped its bar and bistro, as well as giving its rooms a complete make-over. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad General manager Andrei Secuianu said: 'We are the custodians of a place with great heritage and we've modernised it with care, drawing on the character of the coastline and the traditions of the town, so that the hotel continues to feel like it belongs not just to guests, but to St Andrews itself. Inside the new look hotel in St Andrews (Pic: Hotel du Vin Edinburgh) 'St Andrews may be known all over the world, but at its heart, it's a small, close-knit town with a deep sense of community. It's also home to some of the best hospitality in Scotland, and that keeps us striving to evolve.' The hotel is located just yards from the Old Course, which will host the Dunhill Cup in October and the 21027 Open Championship. The newly refreshed guest rooms take their cues from the quiet of the local landscape, with soft muted greens from the surrounding grasslands and earth tones that echo the sand and stone of the coastline. The design retains original, reupholstered woodwork and uses natural materials like rattan to add subtle texture. The overall effect is a calm, gentle space that mirrors the town's relaxed pace and openness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The project marks a significant milestone in the brand's multi-million-pound revitalisation initiative, which has transformed 12 of its 19 properties since starting work on One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, five years ago. The new-look bedrooms (Pic: Hotel du Vin Edinburgh) Scott Harper, chief operating officer at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin said: 'In today's hospitality landscape, staying relevant isn't just about investment, it's about intent. The refurbishment at St Andrews is part of a much wider revitalisation of the Hotel du Vin portfolio, but it also reflects our belief that great hospitality evolves with its environment. St Andrews is home to some of Scotland's most respected hotels, and to continue to lead in that space means understanding what today's guests value, which is connection, character and a sense of place.
The Herald Scotland
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Hotel in St Andrews reveals £1.1m transformation
With global attention turning once again to St Andrews for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship later this summer, and anticipation already building for the next Open the town will host in 2027, the investment ensures that the hotel remains firmly positioned at the forefront of the town's hospitality scene. The newly refreshed guest rooms take their cues from the quiet of the local landscape, with soft muted greens from the surrounding grasslands and earth tones that echo the sand and stone of the coastline. READ MORE: The design retains original, reupholstered woodwork and uses natural materials like rattan to add subtle texture. Andrei Secuianu, General Manager at Hotel du Vin St Andrews, said: 'We are the custodians of a place with great heritage, and we've modernised it with care, drawing on the character of the coastline and the traditions of the town, so that the hotel continues to feel like it belongs not just to guests, but to St Andrews itself. 'St Andrews may be known all over the world, but at its heart, it's a small, close-knit town with a deep sense of community. It's also home to some of the best hospitality in Scotland, and that keeps us striving to evolve.' This project marks a significant milestone in the lifestyle brand's multi-million-pound revitalisation initiative, which has transformed 12 of its 19 properties since the project's inception at One Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow, five years ago. Hotel du Vin St Andrews (Image: Tim Winter) Renovations are already underway at the Henley-on-Thames, Hotel du Vin, which occupies a grade-II listed Georgian building that served as a brewery for 300 years. Scott Harper, COO at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin said: 'In today's hospitality landscape, staying relevant isn't just about investment, it's about intent. "The refurbishment at St Andrews is part of a much wider revitalisation of the Hotel du Vin portfolio, but it also reflects our belief that great hospitality evolves with its environment. "St Andrews is home to some of Scotland's most respected hotels, and to continue to lead in that space means understanding what today's guests value, which is connection, character and a sense of place. "This project is a clear expression of our commitment to thoughtful design, long-term stewardship, and keeping Hotel du Vin at the forefront of the UK lifestyle hotel sector.'
