here - Savoy Park

20
07.06.2013
Ayrshire Post
Savoy Park has an
impressive history
Tying the knot Freda and Campbell Henderson, first couple to marry in their
own hotel
The Savoy Park’s
distinctive building
was commissioned
by Charles Henry
Alston, an engineer
and iron founder
from Glasgow and
was designed by the
notable Ayr architect
James Archibald
Morris around 1886.
Originally called
‘Red House’, it was the
first villa in the
Racecourse Road
area to be built not of
the local grey
townhead, or content
stone, but of red
Mauchline
Sandstone. After only
a few years the
building was
acquired by Charles
Lindsay Orr Ewing,
member of
Parliament for the
Ayr Burghs. In 1896
Orr Ewing proposed a
major enlargement
to the building, in a
Jacobean style but
this didn’t go ahead
and more modest
additions were made
of a single semicircular bay with
battlement cornice
- the Garden Room.
In the early 1930’s,
the building was sold
at auction for £50 to
Niven Brown, junior
along with the then
Provost, William
Lanham. The story
goes that Mr Brown
was having difficulty
obtaining change of
use and threatened
to take the roof off
the house, so he
wouldn’t have to pay
rates. The move
worked and the
Savoy Park was born.
Early 60s Freda and Campbell
Henderson
Advertising Feature
One of Ayr’s best loved venues
for weddings and special occasions
has its own reason to raise a glass
this year, as it celebrates its 70th
anniversary.
The Savoy Park Hotel in Racecourse
Road is Ayr’s longest family-run hotel,
having first opened its doors in 1943.
For the past 53 years it has
been owned and managed by the
Henderson family, with the second
generation, Roddie and wife Ann
Marie, now running the popular four
star venue.
“Generations of families have
celebrated many memorable
occasions here at the Savoy Park and I
think the reason they choose us time
and time again is the highly personal
service we offer and the great lengths
we go to to make sure their function
or visit is a truly enjoyable one for
them,” said Roddie.
As soon as you enter the Savoy
Park, you can immediately sense the
genuine hospitality from the hotel’s
friendly, professional and highly
trained staff. With quality food and
tasteful surroundings, Roddie and
Ann Marie have clearly achieved their
goal of creating a real home from
home.
“We do everything possible to
make sure each one of our guests
has a first class experience with us,”
explains Ann Marie. “We recently
invested in a major refurbishment,
keeping many of our original features,
but adding a contemporary feel. This
is has been very successful in offering
our guests a comfortable, warm
ambience.
“We’re also extremely fortunate
to have one of the best head chefs
around, Davy Gibson, who offers
a fantastic selection of homemade
dishes, created from fresh, local
produce. From a wide selection of
light bites, to two and three course
lunch and dinner
menus, including our popular two
for one menu, we really do offer
something for everyone”.
The hotel has 15 bedrooms, each
Garden setting Ideal for memorable
photographs
Celebrating
beautifully appointed and offering
a snug haven for every guest, from
couples and family groups, to
business travellers. Every individual
need is catered for, including 24 hour
room service, free Wi-Fi and a baby
listening service, to allow guests to
truly relax and enjoy their stay.
One of the Savoy Park’s most
admired and popular features
is its beautiful walled garden and
extensive grounds.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into
Congratulations & Best Wishes
to the Savoy Park Hotel from
making our garden as family friendly as
possible, fun for children, yet relaxing
for adults. There’s a large children’s
play area and private woodland to
explore, along with plenty of outside
picnic tables and seating - it’s the
perfect place to enjoy a chilled glass of
wine or delicious food”said Roddie.
The Savoy Park plays host to a
whole range of functions each year.
Christenings, birthdays, anniversaries
children’s parties, school proms and
dinner dances take place regularly,
The Ice Cream Factory are delighted to be
suppliers of The Savoy Park Hotel.
Wishing Rod, Annmarie & Staff
success for the future.
Suppliers of Fine Wines to the Savoy Park Hotel
www.enotria.co.uk
5, West Portland St. Troon KA10 6EB
07917 733474
Ayr Brewing Company
brewers of CAMRA’s Champion
Porter of Scotland would like
to wish The Savoy Park
Continued Success.
Tel: 07834922142
GAS PLUMBING SHOWROOM
“Best wishes to all the management and
staff at The Savoy Park Hotel”
Tel: 01292 619799
Website www.oneilgas.co.uk
J. PIERONI & SONS
Proudly supporting the Savoy Park
Wholesale Fish
Merchants and Frozen Food Specialists
Rapid Response Support
Hardware Supply and Install
Secure Off-Site Backups
Computer and Internet Security
Call us on 01292 738 284 itw4.co.uk
THE COMPLETE SUPPLIER
TO THE LICENSED TRADE
WISHING THE SAVOY PARK
EVERY FUTURE SUCCESS
Crompton Way, North Newmoor Ind. Est., Irvine.
Tel: 01294 - 203000
If it swims we sell it
Wishing The Savoy Park
every success in the future
47-55 PEEBLES STREET, AYR
Tel. 01292 265532
Fax. 01292 261029
07.06.2013
Ayrshire Post
21
Oak
Room Spacious and
full of character
Savoy Park
Hotel Celebrating 70
years
Luxurious Ensuite,
bedrooms with every
comfort
Owners Roddie and
Ann Marie Henderson
Guests Watching a wedding ceremony in the lovely garden
70 years at the Savoy Park Hotel
as well as business events and
conferences. But it’s weddings which
the hotel has become most famous for.
“The first wedding reception to take
place here was in September 1960,”
added Roddie.
“I’ve been told a lot about it,
because it was that of my own parents,
Campbell and Freda Henderson, who
had purchased the hotel earlier that
year, so it was the obvious choice for
them”.
Since then, the Savoy Park has
been a sought after venue for literally
thousands of couples, accommodating
up to 120 day guests and a further 80 in
the evening..
“The Oak Room, with its fantastic
wood panelled walls, is ideal for
marriage ceremonies, with vows
being exchanged in the alcove at the
fireplace,” says Ann Marie, who helps
wedding couples plan their special
day.
“In the summer months, couples
love to be married outside in the
garden. We arrange the seating to
create a ‘centre aisle’ and with the
decorative archway, large lawns and
beautiful borders and flower beds,
it really does make a magnificent,
romantic setting. Recently we installed
a new lighting system which allows
guests to enjoy the gardens late on into
the evening.”
From small and intimate, to more
extensive events, every wedding
couple can expect the same high level
of service and attention from Roddie,
Ann Marie and their staff, and can
choose from four different wedding
packages.
“The Boutique, Complete Wedding
Wish, Four Seasons and Twilight
packages offer a bride and groom an
amazing wedding day tailored to their
particular dreams, wishes and budget,”
added Ann Marie. “
As it celebrates 70 years in business,
the Savoy Park Hotel is clearly one of
Ayrshire’s finest - and most flexible
- venues. However Roddie and Ann
Marie have no intentions of stopping
here.
“We’re always thinking of new ways
to improve our services and customer
experience even more and have a few
ideas in the pipeline at the moment.
We want the Savoy Park to be the venue
of choice for many more generations
to come.”
For details contact The Savoy
Park Hotel, 16 Racecourse Rd, Ayr,
telephone: 01292 266112 or visit www.
savoypark.com
Proud to supply the
Savoy Park Hotel
with
Douwe Egberts coffee
Congratulations
on reaching
www.hollowparkflorists.co.uk
[email protected]
Delighted to be associated
with The Savoy Park Hotel
70 years
Wishing you continued
success in the future
The team at TBS
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Celebrating
50Years
1963-2013
Refrigerator & Air-Conditioning
A family business Est 1963
Wishing The Savoy Park
Continued Success
AYSHIRE, SCOTLAND
TEL: 01292 266 123 • MOB: 07813767923
Email: [email protected]
www.polarrefrigerationayrshire.co.uk
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JOHN’S TAXIS
24 Hour Service
Our freshly refurbished hotel
is perfect for your gathering..
...whether it’s for a wedding,
a party, a meeting or an event.
Try our delicious 2 for 1 lunch
and dinner offer.
7/8 Seaters Available
Proud to supply the Savoy Park Hotel.
What a tremendous achievement
70 years in business.
Congratulations.
43, BLACKBURN DRIVE, AYR KA72XW
TEL: 01292 284451
Congratulations to
and delighted to be
associated with the
Henderson family.
01292 611227 / 266955
Meters Still at 2011 Rate
16 Racecourse Road, Ayr. Tel: 01292 266112
www.savoypark.com