Simply a Franchise in Focus: Meet Joanne from Lancashire

Introduce yourself and your area...

I’m Joanne, 25 from Lancashire and cover from the likes of Fleetwood, Preston and the Ribble valley right down to Chorley.

What is your background?

I graduated from Liverpool Hope University in 2009 with a BA (Hons) in Law & Business. Since then, I have worked as the Food & Beverage Manager at a prestigious venue in the Ribble Valley and more recently, as the Manager of a Restaurant and Hotel chain. These roles formed my enthusiasm for organising weddings and events, which led to the Simply Bows & Chair Covers franchise opportunity and I have never looked back.

Why did you take a franchise with Simply Bowsand Chair Covers?

I have always loved organising and working at weddings but I also knew that I wanted to work for myself.  Initially I thought that this would be through being a wedding planner but after research I came across Simply Bows and Chair Covers.  From working in weddings day in day out, I knew that there was definitely a market in Lancashire for high quality made to measure chair covers and linen, as the covers I always came across were ill fitted, dirty and made of cheap fabric.  

Why do you love working for yourself?

Working for myself means that I can be a bit more flexible with my working hours.  If I have other commitments during the day I can always work in the evening or vice versa (once all my weddings have been attended to of course!).  I also love the fact that every day brings something different.  Over the last few years I have appeared on TV as a ‘wedding expert’, been invited to many a Charity Ball or Dinner Dance and met some fantastic people.

Why do you love being a Simply Bows and Chair Covers franchisee?

Since day 1, the support network of Simply Bows and Chair Covers has been second to none, both from head office and the other girls.  Our team meetings are invaluable for advice, motivation and general help.  I often get asked why I didn’t set up alone, but without the reputation, support network and fantastic website that we have at Simply Bows and Chair Covers I very much doubt I would be where I am today with the business.

Where do you see you, and your franchisee in 1 years time and also 3 years time?

1 year: I want to increase my events by 20% on 2013, which I am so far on track to do.  I also wish to take on a hotel linen contract and be in the packages of 2 more major hotels and recommended in 20 further venues across Lancashire.

3 years: In 3 years time I wish to be completing 250 events per year, in packages of 4 major hotels and recommended in 50% of the venues in Lancashire.
And of course I want to still be enjoying what I do... I'm sure I will be! :)

Simply fabulous: A day in the life of a Simply Bows and Chair Covers Area Director

This week Joanne who heads up of our Lancashire office shares with you an insight into the varied and wonderful life as a Simply Bows and Chair Covers Area Director......

Working as part of Simply Bows and Chair Covers means that no two days are the same.  One day I could be in Blackburn providing chair covers for a wedding and the next I could be exhibiting at a wedding fayre in Preston.  But imagine my surprise when I got a phone call from the Two Four Production team, the team behind The Hotel Inspector.

After getting over my initial shock that they wanted me to appear on one of their shows, it turns out that Alex Polizzi wanted local brides and businesses in the wedding industry to be her guests as she surprised a local hotel manager in Wigan.  The team had been filming there for several weeks but Alex wanted us to give our opinions on the 2 Bridal Suites, the wedding packages and the reception rooms.

So last Thursday, my best friend and bride-to-be Becca, got all glammed off and off we trotted to The Bellingham in Wigan.  I have to confess that I have never watched the show before, so when Alex walked into the room I only knew it was her by the large gasp from Becca!  Alex was very happy to answer our questions and talked business to us for about half an hour before we started filming.  This woman knows it all and was extremely inspiring!

Next came the filming- eek! We were filmed pulling upto the hotel in a stretch hummer limo as we sprung our visit onto the manager, not such a surprise though as it took 3 takes for us to get it right!  We were then shown the 2 bridal suits- you'll have to wait till the show airs to see our comments on these but what I will say is that the first room is a seventies shocker! Last but not least was the reception room.  A large airy space but with no character to it.  Four tables had been set up in a reception style with a top table.  We all agreed that if the manager was to show brides around, the venue should be dressed with chair covers, flowers  and a bit of colour, as the room as it was certainly didn't make me feel like I wanted to have my wedding there.  To make things worse, the table linen they had used looked like it had been screwn up into a ball and then put straight back onto a table! An expert venue dresser was definitely needed in this hotel!

I don't want to give to much away, so to see our thoughts on the hotel and the changes that Alex provides, you 'll have to tune in when the new series airs in August/September".

Simply Special: Ribby Hall

Located in the heart of the Lancashire in more than 100 acres of countryside the delightful Ribby Hall is a venue we are thrilled to work so closely with. Their idyllic location is just 10 minutes drive from the beaches of Blackpool and Lytham St. Annes and only a short drive away from the city of Preston. Located in fabulous landscaped grounds they are licensed for civil ceremonies and can cater for receptions for up to 300 people. In addition to three wedding suites and a Summer House for outdoor ceremonies they also have luxury cottages, pine lodges and a new adult-only Spa Hotel.

   We decided to interview Ribby Hall's events team to bring to you lots of great information, inspiration and some great images to really give you a feel for what this exciting venue and its sparkling new spa have to offer..

What facilities does your venue boast?

-We are a village covering 106 acres and boast the following facilities:

-Conference & Banqueting centre with 3 large suites and 12 small conference suites

-Unique Tree House facility for meetings 

-Wide range of accommodation, detailed below

-9 hole golf course

-Mini golf

-Sports & Leisure Centre – swimming pool, badminton, tennis, squash, over 70 fitness classes and gym. 

-Equestrian Centre 

-Entertainment venues – Bar & Grill, Harrisons Bar

-Dining facilities – The Restaurant, Bar & Grill, Starbucks, The Bistro and Papa Johns

Does your hotel cater for weddings?  If so, what numbers can you accommodate and what packages do you offer?

Our Banqueting Centre is perfect for weddings, we have 3 suites – The Garden Room, The Rowan Suite & the Woodland Suite. We also have the facility for outdoor ceremonies in the Summer House. We have a range of wedding packages available, depending on time of year and guest numbers. We can accommodate up to 350 guests.

What about events, both large and small, what numbers can you accommodate?

We can accommodate events with numbers from 50 – 360.

Can guests stay over at your venue?  What accommodation is on offer?

Yes guests can stay on the village we have the following available:

-New 5* Spa Hotel, adult only with 42 bedrooms

-174 cottages accommodating up to 6 guests per cottage

-6 Scandinavian pine lodges accommodating up to 6 guests, including outdoor hot tub

-The Motel, including 8 suites accommodating 2 people. 

-The White House – luxury House accommodating up to 14 guests, including outdoor hot tub

-The Coach House – Luxury House accommodating up to 12 guests

     Tell us about your food/ menus/ wines...

All our menus are created using locally sourced, fresh produce. We also grow our own fruit & vegetables in the Ribby Garden. We can accommodate any dietary requirements and can work with any customer to build their own perfect menu. We have an array of wine, specifically tasted and chosen by our food & beverage managers to ensure that all customers have lots of fine wines to choose from.

       

Do you have any sporting/ spa/ golf facilities on site?

Yes we have a 9 hole golf course, mini golf and a New 5* Spa Hotel.

What sets your venue apart from others?

We are a unique venue with lots to offer, Guests don’t just come here for the day; they stay for the whole weekend and enjoy the whole village experience.

Anything special that we should know about the venue?

-New multi million pound Spa Hotel

-3 amazing suites that suit different styles & tastes

-Civil ceremonies, including outdoor in our Summer House

-We grow our own fruit & vegetables in the Ribby Garden

-Locally sourced produce for all menus

-Male & female orientated activities on site, perfect for pre & post wedding get togethers      

-Heavy social calendar- see website for more details

Where can we get more information/ read more/ contact the venue? (web address and contact details)

www.ribbyhall.co.uk/weddings

01772 685858