RSC and Eden Hotel Collection sign new deal
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Eden Hotel Collection, owned by Sir Peter Rigby, today (Friday 25 September) announce a new joint venture to modernise and refurbish the Arden Hotel, located opposite the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres overlooking the River Avon.
The multi-million pound renovation will be led by the Eden Hotel Collection team, who will manage the refurbished hotel. The work will be due for completion to coincide with the re-opening of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres in late 2010, following the RSC’s £112.8m Transformation project which will bring audiences closer to the stage and improve all facilities, making the building more welcoming and accessible.
Mark Chambers, Managing Director of the Eden Hotel Collection, which includes award-winning Mallory Court in nearby Leamington Spa, the King’s Hotel in Chipping Campden and Buckland-Tout-Saints Hotel in Devon, said:
“This is a golden opportunity to take the Arden back to its former glory as a grande dame of the hotel scene in Stratford-upon-Avon and create an independent boutique-style hotel to boost the ongoing public investment in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Arden is full of character, charm and history, and will complement our already unique portfolio of hotels.”
Vikki Heywood, Executive Director, RSC, said:
“I am delighted that we are now in partnership with Eden Hotel Collection and look forward to working closely with Sir Peter Rigby and his team. This new joint venture will allow us to bring the hotel’s buildings and surrounding gardens back to life and will offer our audiences great accommodation right across the road from our new Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The approach secures crucial new investment to make best use of the Arden’s freehold and will be a welcome boost to the local economy.”
Notes to Editors
Eden Hotel Collection is owned by Sir Peter Rigby, who received his knighthood for his contribution to information technology and business in the West Midlands. Sir Peter will work closely with the award-winning team from Mallory Court to plan and oversee the refurbishment.
Mallory Court was recently named the Most Excellent Hotel UK and Ireland 2009 by Condé Nast Johansens.
The £112.8m Transformation of the RSC Theatres remains on time and on budget and will open in late 2010 with a varied programme of events and activities leading to the full RSC repertoire. The RSC meanwhile continues to perform in the award-winning 1000-seat Courtyard Theatre which was designed to provide a full-size prototype for the new RST auditorium.
For more information on the Eden Hotel Collection, please call Charlotte Bayliss on 01926 453908 or email charlotte_bayliss@mallory.co.uk
For more information on the Royal Shakespeare Company, please call Dean Asker, Press and Communications Officer, on 01789 412660 or dean.asker@rsc.org.uk, or Liz Thompson, Director of Communications, on 01789 412667 or liz.thompson@rsc.org.uk
