Harewood announces new Joint Venture

Harewood House near Leeds, is to build on its reputation as one of the UKs premier and award winning stately homes, by announcing today that it is set to enter into a partnership with Boutique Catering, the highly regarded hospitality company, and Logistik, the Leeds based design and communications company.  Not content to sit back on its laurels, the already renowned venue will confirm its place at the cutting edge of the leisure market with a schedule of show-stopping events for 2010 and flexible hospitality that sets the standard for the 21^st century.

Conveniently positioned just 7 miles from Leeds and Harrogate, Harewood is popular with visitors looking for a family day out, from the region as well as nationally.  The new commercial venture will combine this winning formula with significant commercial investment to ensure growth in all activities associated with Harewood.  The trophy cupboard at Harewood is already bulging, with accolades for visitor access and facilities, gardens and education; with an acclaimed standing in the fields of conservation and research for its art and furniture collections and world class bird garden. 

Harewood won the prestigious Gold Award in Enjoy England’s Large Visitor Attraction in 2009 and this engine-house of activity continues to build on its reputation with investment in capability and expertise to create an unrivalled location for  a family day out, events and conferencing.  Retail, leisure and hospitality will be expanded and enhanced reinforcing Harewood’s reputation as a major force in the business world.

Following a comprehensive business review of hospitality, weddings, catering, retail and leisure events, Boutique Catering and Logistik were identified as ideal partners.  The former has established itself as one of the regions premier catering and hospitality companies and Logistik has an extensive and successful track record in event design, build and management within both the corporate and leisure sectors, locally, regionally and nationally.    

Richard Mansell, Chief Executive, Harewood House Trust said “Harewood is a major asset to the local and regional economy and these are exciting times. The Trust is a charitable educational organisation established for the purposes of conserving the House, its extensive collections, grounds, gardens and ancillary buildings.  Any financial surpluses generated from commercial activities are fully invested into maintenance, conservation, art, culture and heritage programmes for the benefit of our visitors.  We look forward to working with Boutique and Logistik and to making the fantastic facilities at Harewood more accessible to the leisure and hospitality markets.  A varied and affordable offer is now available for corporate hospitality, conferences, weddings and private celebratory events in addition to an extended range of leisure facilities and improved catering for our visitors.  We have already noted a substantial increase in the number of enquiries for 2010 and beyond, coupled with a very pleasing increase in confirmed bookings.”