How Leamington chefs have teamed up with a nearby Cotswolds glamping retreat to offer a new service during a tough time for local businesses

Bramble Dining, based in Leamington, will cook a fine dining menu, provide waiter service – and even do the dishes – in any of Winchcombe’s five lodges. Dave Fawbert Photography

Chefs from Leamington have teamed up with the owners of a nearby Cotswolds glamping retreat in response to yet further Government restrictions on socialising by bringing a great night out ‘indoors’ for their guests.

Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor, who run Winchcombe Farm Holidays in Upper Tysoe, are working with an award-winning private chef so visitors can make the most of their staycation safely.

Bramble Dining, based in Leamington, will cook a fine dining menu, provide waiter service – and even do the dishes – in any of Winchcombe’s five lodges.

Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor, who run Winchcombe Farm Holidays in Upper Tysoe. Dave Fawbert Photography.

It is the latest in a series of innovations by Jo and Steve who are battling to overcome the continued tightening of regulations in their sector.

The enterprising couple, who established their glamping business just over two years ago on the foundations of their former privately-run nursery, currently have four lodges and a tree house for guests on their farm.

Jo explained: “Dining in is definitely the new ‘going out’ at the moment. People want the restaurant experience brought to them rather than to venture out to unfamiliar places to eat when on holiday, as they don’t know the set-up with all the various COVID restrictions in place. Several guests asked us for details of local private chefs and that’s how we formed this winning partnership with Richard at Bramble Dining.

“Richard and his team at Bramble Dining offer a complete restaurant experience in the comfort of your own holiday home. They offer huge range of menus and come armed with all the ingredients.”.

Winchcombe has received Certification from Visit England’s ‘Go to Good’ Scheme and the AA’s COVID Certification Scheme.

But despite this, in recent weeks, they have refunded more than £30k of cancellations from guests who are showing an increased nervousness against the backdrop of rising COVID infection rates.

Jo added: “Bramble Dining is a family-run business like ours which has also been hit hard by the effects of lockdown. It’s great that we can work together to provide a great experience for guests coming to stay with us in this beautiful part of the world and support the tourist economy in these trying times.

Richard Bramble, who has over 19 years experience of working in professional kitchens and the catering industry, launched the business with his wife Claudia in February.

He said: “Private chefs are becoming increasingly popular and more affordable than ever before. More and more people are opting for using a private chef within their home instead of going out and you can see why."