New heights for the Alderley Restaurant

Table ‘8’ is two feet higher than it used to be.

And the spectacular panoramic view over the east Cheshire plain is now turning it into the most requested restaurant seat in town.

Customers at the Alderley Restaurant – part of the newly refurbished Alderley Edge Hotel – are specifically requesting it since the hotel’s £200,000 improvement enhanced the 80-cover restaurant and adjoining lounge bar area.

‘Enhanced’ – not ‘changed’. Because Ahmet Kurcer has a theory about ‘change’

“It happens all the time,” says the general manager of the Alderley Edge Hotel. “People need it … but they don’t necessarily like it. And it works best of all when they hardly notice it.”

A wall and two fireplaces have been removed, part of the restaurant floor lifted by two feet, and a subtly modernised décor, with new furnishings and a specially commissioned collection of local photography, has transformed the atmosphere. But many customers are not conscious of any great change.

“And that’s fine,” says Mr Kurcer, “because improvement is not always the same as change. Many people don’t like change so the trick is to alter things while making sure people still feel comfortable … or even moreso.

“We deliberately briefed the designer to achieve a very gentle merger of classically traditional and stylishly modern because that’s what makes us unique. Some customers do a ‘double take’ because they notice things are different but to others it looks as though it’s always been this way.

“And I’m happy with that … because their comfort is our priority.”

The new-look for the 157 year-old former cotton merchant’s house took four weeks to complete and restaurant regulars moved into the hotel’s function room until everything was ready.

The restaurant’s newly levelled floor is the most noticeable improvement - replacing the split-level that used to separate customers into two areas and left those at the lower tables peering over a window ledge to enjoy the view over the Cheshire countryside.

That’s why Table ‘8’ - with its prime elevated window - is now becoming the first to be reserved as customers book up to sample the ‘sous vide’ gourmet specialities in head chef Chris Holland’s newly launched ‘modern English’ menu.

The new level floor also gives more flexibility for larger parties, of up to 25 people, to be seated at the same table if they wish.



“Many people, however, whether lunching or dining, often don’t chose hotel restaurants,” says Mr Kurcer. “But this is no standard hotel restaurant. The atmosphere we have now created feels like a standalone eating area, with a special identity, where customers can enjoy gourmet food at realistic prices.”

Meanwhile, service in the lounge bar is now extended through the day, from 10am, Monday to Saturday, for people who want morning coffee and afternoon snacks, light meals and traditional classic dishes from lunchtime to evening.

“The bar lounge is a social hub for any hotel and getting it right is important,” adds Mr Kurcer. “Here, people can sit and talk, over a meal or drink, in the comfort of quality surroundings at any time of day.

“And quality is what we insist on … every aspect of that service has to be strike absolutely the right chord.”



• The Alderley Edge Hotel is on Macclesfield Road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7BJ
tel - 01625 583033; website - www.alderleyedgehotel.com

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Posted: Thursday 12th February 2009
ID: 2078 - 296