Fred Pritchard, Chairman of Pritchard Group plc and Pritchard Hotels Ltd, warmly welcomed dignatories, guests and visitors to the Ramada Hotel on Shrove Tuesday – 21 February 2012 to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Ramada opening.
Charles Tippet, the new Chief Executive of Pritchard Group plc, also attended.
The guests and dignatories included from Cannock Chase Council: Cllr Jon Beddows, Chairman, and Cllr Gordon Allcott, Economic and Regeneration Portfolio, with Cllr Eddie Smith, Chairman of Bridgtown Parish Council, and his wife Sue.
Other guests included: Staffs County Council, Tourism colleagues and a number of staff who have been with the Ramada Hotel since its opening and most importantly clients / customers of the Hotel.
The General Manager of the Hotel, John Oxford, was on hand, along with Alison Harrison to escort guests from the ground floor up into the Sky Room where the views fortunately – even on a February day – were spectacular as you can see virtually the Welsh Mountains from the Sky Room.
Part of the occasion being Shrove Tuesday, the Chef, Peter, laid on excellent pancakes to complement the day and indeed the 5th Anniversary of the Hotel.
Fred Pritchard in his address to the people present emphasised the confidence that had been shown by Cannock Chase Council to erect an iconic building as a symbol of Regeneration and as the Gateway to Cannock Chase, and the Parish Council for showing foresight in also putting Bridgtown well and truly on the map. A community centre is also on site which is much used and appreciated by the local residents.
Fred went on to mention that the difficult times that the Hotel had encountered with the collapse of the economy, but further commented that the Hotel is now on the up and up, not least of all doing circa 100 weddings last year.
Fred also thanked the most important element of the Hotel of clients, friends and colleagues who use the establishment on an extremely regular basis for conferences and overnight stays and functions / parties and the like.
Praise also went to the staff for their commitment and dedication on taking the Hotel forward in extremely difficult and challenging economic times.
Everyone there enjoyed the Shrove Tuesday pancake lunch and a true celebration of the 5th Anniversary was brought to a close accordingly.