The Cloud Hotel, Meerut Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7TD

T:(01590) 622165 F:(01590) 622818

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Press release from The Shine Awards 2006

WINNER – SHINE WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD - AVRIL OWTON
Proprietor of Cloud Hotel, Brockenhurst, New Forest

When she lost her husband suddenly from a heart attack 14 years ago, Avril’s life transformed and she commenced on a journey of juggling - running a hotel business while raising a family of four. Her husband had neither life or mortgage insurance and there was no safety provision for their children’s education – in those days she did not know her bottom line on the balance sheet from her washing line. Coming from a show business background, the former Tiller girl had no experience of management, administration or finance.

Avril took on the hardest challenge of her life and learnt how to run the business she had inherited overnight – cleaning bedrooms, cooking guests’ meals and doing everything else within the hotel in between doing everything a caring mum would do for her children.

It took 18 months to achieve anything. She embarked on a refurbishment putting in en suite bathrooms and making general improvements having successfully secured business loans at a time when she could have been considered a real risk. She reopened in April 1993 and business continued. In 1995 she won a competition in Cosmopolitan magazine with a prize to attend a weeks intensive course at London Business School and she put all she learnt into practice.

She has single handedly turned around an ailing business with turnover increasing 750% since 1992. She has continued with her refurbishment of the hotel and repeat bookings now approach 75% and occupancy is 75% throughout the year. In 2004 the hotel won the Tourism South East ExCEllence Small Hotel of the Year ward and it is in the Good Hotel Guide, the Which hotel guide and its AA Quality Assessment has risen from 61-76%. She has built up lunchtime business tapping into the senior marketing and has weekly Champagne cocktail parties for guest to mingle and meet new people.

She is utterly passionate about what she does and puts her business success down to her people. She believes 100% that staff training and development is paramount to this success. All staff are made to feel valued and all new team members participate in Welcome Host training. She has even sent junior chefs to do work experience at The Savoy and Claridges and she works with Brockenhurst College to allow students work experience at a local establishment.

She won the Hampshire Business Woman of the Year in 1995 and formed the non-profit Wessex Women’s Network in 2003 for the advancement of women throughout local business community and to further develop business in the area. Whilst being a successful businesswoman, Avril also developed her second career as a motivational and personal development speaker travelling the world and attending international conferences to share her experience of turning around a business with other women – both within and external to the travel and leisure sector.

Her success today is evident and Avril’s story is truly inspirational making her entry stand out and making her a very worthy winner of the SHINE Woman of the Year Award.

- Press release ends -

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Summer 2005 - News

The Cloud Hotel wins Small Hotel of the Year

The Cloud Hotel has added to its various accolades by winning the Tourism South East ExSEllence Small Hotel of the Year 2004 award. Owner Avril Owton collected the award, a specially engraved trophy, from Ben Fogle, the star of TC's Castaway and Animal Park programmes, at a glittering ceremony in Berkshire.

Tourism ExSEllence judges noted that The Cloud 'offers fabulous views across the natural parkland with New Forest ponies and cattle frequently seen trying to join guests in the hotel grounds.' They were also impressed by 'a nice busy atmosphere'. All the rooms are different in design and decor and the property has undergone considerable investment during the past 11 years, including Avril converting her own former apartment into additional guest accommodation.

Said Tourism South East managing director Bob Collier: "Hampshire has demonstrated that it can provide value for money world class tourism facilities that stand proudly alongside anything else on offer elsewhere in the country."

Avril is no stranger to the limelight having enjoyed a high-kicking career as a Tiller Girl, dancing at the London Palladium in the 1960's, where she was the pivot for the famous line up. A hotelier who has developed her business tirelessly following personal adversity, Avril is also an inspirational speaker who encourages women around the world to maximise their potential; in addition, she's the founder of the Wessex Women's Network, an organisation which meets at The Cloud to provide local businesswomen with a chance to exchange experiences, swap advice and support each other.

"I am delighted to have won," said Avril, "but this is not only wonderful for the hotel as a thriving business, but also a tremendous boost for all my staff, who share in every success. Our guests, many of whom are regulars, know how hard everyone works to make their stay a special occasion."

To view the Tourism South East ExSEllence article on The Cloud Hotel, please click here.

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Annual Macmillan Cancer Relief dinner

This year's annual Macmillan Cancer Relief dinner to raise funds for this hugely respected and worthwhile charity takes place on Sunday, December 4th. The award winning Highcliffe Junior Choir is performing.

Avril Owton donates the entire proceeds to this charity, which works throughout the UK to improve the quality of life for cancer sufferers as well as offering ongoing support for both sufferers and their families. The 2004 dinner raised £1,400 pounds.

"We always look forward to excellent support; I have a personal interest in this charity, as do many people who have lost a loved one or friend to various forms of the disease. People always say everyone is touched by it affecting someone they know. Because of this, it receives generous support," commented Avril.

World's Largest Coffee Morning, organised by Macmillan Cancer Relief

Again, a regular fixture for The Cloud is participating in the World's Largest Coffee Morning, organised by Macmillan Cancer Relief. This year's takes place on Friday, September 30th. Both residents and guests can join in - last year Avril raised £500, and she hopes to top it this autumn.

Charity New Forest Cream Tea

The Cloud is staging a charity New Forest Cream Tea on Sunday July 3rd, as part of this year's Hampshire Food Festival, which takes place from June 25th to July 10th. A countywide celebration of food and drink, the cream tea will feature scones and cakes from Linzi of Lymington, with strawberry jam from New Forest Jam and Chutney. Taking will be divided between Naomi House and Cancer Research.

To find out more about Macmillan Cancer Research, please follow this link.

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Webbed Feat

The Cloud Hotel's website has been redesigned by Hordle-based Karl Jones. Karl has incorporated information about Avril's Tiller Girl past and plenty of new links, making it more informative for existing and potential customers. The ease of use is obvious and just a few clicks take you to details of the hotel and its dining/accommodation options, tariffs and special offers, news on Avril, as well as providing inspiration for what to do whilst staying in the New Forest, which recently became a National Park.

"He's done a terrific job. Ease of use is of paramount importance and we've received great feedback," Avril said.

Karl can be contacted on 01590 681732 or by emailing karl@kndesign.co.uk

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Autumn 2004 - News

Cloud features on Sky as one of Britain's Best Breaks

The Cloud Hotel has gone into orbit this summer after featuring in the travel series Britain's Best Breaks on a Sky satellite channel.

A production company film crew with presenter Catherine York shot footage at the popular New Forest location during May. Since then the programme has been repeatedly broadcast on Sky's channel 160 and also heavily promoted on the programme's website.

Owner Avril Owton explained that the programme featured a range of hotels in the Southampton and New Forest area plus recommendations on places of interest to visit in the locality.

"It was fascinating to see the crew at work and the number of takes they shot just of the presenter walking through the door," said Avril. Of course, Avril is no stranger to showbusiness herself after spending a number of years performing on live television as a dancer. "I was chatting away with Catherine and discovered that we both had studied at the Arts Education School of Dance in London," she explained. "She was there some years later than me, but nevertheless we found a lot in common."

Britain's Best Breaks is a half-hour programme that puts the spotlight on UK destinations. It is transmitted on Sky digital channel 160 and other south coast areas and resorts featured include Brighton, Newquay and Plymouth.

Production for the 2004 series began last April and there has been a huge public response. Holidays in the UK are becoming more popular, mainly due to the improved service, comfort and entertainment you can find in Britain.

The Cloud Hotel has been rewarded for its service with an entry in the recently published 2004 Good Hotel Guide. Avril has reformed The Cloud Hotel in the past 10 years making many improvements and structural changes as well as marketing the hotel and developing staff.

To view Britain's Best Breaks feature on The Cloud Hotel, please follow this link.

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AA rates a super welcome at the impressive Cloud

The latest review by the Automobile Association of The Cloud gives it "an impressive quality assessment of 76%" after the inspector enjoyed a "super stay at this well run and professional hotel..."

This glowing report from the AA inspection states that the hotel continues to be worthy of a Two Star recommendation.

Owner Avril Owton said that she was delighted by the high percentage quality assessment as it confirms the hotel is performing at almost the top of its range.

"We can do nothing about the star rating because of the size of the premises" explained Avril. "But to maximise the quality and level of service with the facilities we posses is my constant aim and, by the stringent AA standards, this quality assessment is very high."

The full visit overview from the AA inspector states:

"A super stay at this well run and professional hotel, which provides a fantastically super welcome to all its guests. Hospitality is well led from the front by Mrs Owton; with Alison, Robert, Bridget and Sue all providing an equally focused approach. Service exceeds expectations, with a highly attentive team offering personal touches such as an escort to the room on arrival, table service in the bar and ability to enjoy "breakfast in bed."

"The property continues to be well presented in all areas with bedrooms providing a comfortable and relaxed environment and lounges and reception providing a positive initial impression. The new carpet downstairs presents well and soft furnishings are continually upgraded. Housekeeping continues to reach the high standards previously reached with an excellent attention to detail. Cuisine at breakfast and dinner was very enjoyable. The Cloud Hotel continues to be worthy of a Two Star recommendation with an impressive Quality Assessment of 76%".

To read the AA review in full please click here

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