Hotel and restaurant takeover set to benefit Moors ' foundation
The Solihull Moors Foundation is set to benefit from a new hotel and restaurant take over.
Solihull Moors chairman, Darryl Eales, alongside entrepreneur Russell Martin, have been revealed as the new owners of The Forest Hotel on Station Approach and its newly established restaurant The Butcher 's Social, a dining concept set up by award-winning chef Mike Bullard.
Under the new ownership, a percentage of the hotel 's profits will be donated to The Solihull Moors Foundation - which collaborates with more than 25 schools in the Solihull catchment area on initiatives centred around anti-bullying, healthy eating and encouraging children to capitalise on their education.
Darryl commented: “We 're incredibly lucky to be taking ownership of a local hospitality venue that has been in great hands for decades and a real hub for locals.
“As the hospitality industry opens up this week, we are eager, ready and waiting for people to try this new local dining option. We will of course be operating in a Covid-safe manner, so numbers will be limited in accordance with this, to keep our staff and patrons safe. ”
Darryl and Russell have also brought Mike Bullard 's renowned culinary skills into the mix to bring a new quality offering to guests locally, regionally and visitors from further afield.
The Butcher 's Social is an established brand with a loyal following, achieved during the restaurant 's former stints in Harborne - where the brand was born - and more recently Henley-in-Arden, where it was based for five years.
Mike said: “We are excited to bring The Butcher 's Social to the Dorridge area and look forward to welcoming guests, from regulars who know and love our food, and have travelled with us as we 've relocated to different parts of the region, to newcomers who wish to come and see what we 're all about. ”
Russell added: “The Forest Hotel is a kingpin of the community in Dorridge - somewhere that has become synonymous with great accommodation and dining options, as well as a place to hold parties such as birthdays, engagements and weddings - and a staple conference facility.
“Tracy and Gary Perkins have been in charge of the hotel for more than 20 years now, and have built this fantastic customer base which we 're thrilled and honoured to inherit. We want to maintain this and create a vibrant community hub, and we will be inviting feedback and innovative ideas so we can continually evolve in line with exactly what local people want. We want to achieve the best we possibly can for all who come here, from far and wide or those on our doorstep. ”
Pictured (l-r): Russell Martin, Mike Bullard and Darryl Eales outside The Forest Hotel