Author: Ajay Patel

PR Strategy | Press + Influencer Engagement | Press Previews | FAM Trips | Press Office

As you turn the corner at the end of a mile-long driveway, it is difficult to not be taken-aback by the façade of Grade I listed Hawkstone Hall & Gardens. Formerly a home to retired priests, the 88-acre country estate was taken over by DHG and following a pain-staking refurbishment, opened to the public as an events venue. Months later, the pandemic struck, and the owners were forced to have a major re-think. Chapter was employed to initially guide the business through an era of restrictions, and then to re-launch the property as a hotel and foodie-destination with capacity for a multitude of events.

With an objective to put Hawkstone Hall on the map, promoting each area of the business and to draw customers from across the UK, the team activated a communications strategy starting with informative brand awareness that included an 8-page glossy magazine feature about the renovation, followed by interviews and commentary about the easing of restrictions on BBC News and in the Financial Times.

Over the course of the next three years, Hawkstone Hall & Gardens has been featured over 275 times in titles such as Elle, Tatler and The Sun. Upon the opening of the Kitchen Garden, a column was secured in Country Homes & Interiors magazine, also published monthly online by Homes & Gardens, where Hawkstone’s Head Gardener gave his advice to readers on the best seasonal produce to plant and grow. The column was upgraded to a full page and ran for a total of 18-months. Further highlights include journalist stays and reviews by Metro and The Telegraph, being listed as one of the UK’s best afternoon teas by The Times, and included in the Independent’s Top 10 dog-friendly hotels.

An invite to Their Majesty’s Coronation

Having been awarded a British Empire Medal by the late Queen, Humdingers founder Robert Hunningher was one of a select few members of the public to be invited to the Coronation of Their Majesties the King & Queen.

With the official invitation arriving less than two weeks before the big day, we seized the occasion and orchestrated a media junket to make the most of the opportunity. A tightly packed schedule of media interviews followed with six slots on Sky News, CNN International, a video running on the homepage of The Telegraph website, Times Radio, GB News, and a print feature in The Sunday Times. Robert was also a guest of honour on Ukrainian Breakfast TV with a feature running for 10 minutes.

The resulting coverage to a worldwide audience has not only significantly raised Robert’s profile but continues to highlight the good work of his business, which attracts high-profile clients that are looking to work with an events business that gives back to communities.