Ten years ago this month, Shropshire couple Kevin and Viki Brazier and their young family took over the Inn at Grinshill and having transformed it completely with every penny they have, they are celebrating 10 years at the top plus a host of accolades.
The Grade II listed building in the pretty village of Grinshill, ten minutes from Shrewsbury, looked completely different when the couple bought it. The exterior has changed subtly, the interior is unrecognisable from 2002 with several different areas and six 4star bedrooms have been created.
Viki and Kevin met in their 20s at another Shropshire hotel and worked in hospitality and catering before getting their teeth into their own project.
All members of the Brazier family have worked at the Inn, including daughter Charlotte and sons Matt and David. David was just 11 when the family bought it and he now works as 2nd chef under the leadership of head chef Chris Conde.
Chris has appeared on BBC’s Masterchef the Professionals and along with the team has secured the Inn 2 AA Rosettes and 2 Knives and Forks in Michelin Guide for their innovative food. The Inn also has four AA Gold Stars for accommodation (gold denotes it’s in the top 2% of the category and the stars relate to facilities) and for the first time, the Inn has been honoured in the Good Hotel Guide 2013.
Viki said: “It was a big project to take on when we bought it. Our vision was to have a place with many different aspects, to be used for a range of occasions, from weddings and christenings to dinner and hotel accommodation, to just a quiet drink or a place to work and have a coffee. It’s taken 10 years, but we have achieved that using everything we have. I wouldn’t know what we have spent! We continue to develop the Inn and its services because we absolutely love it and it continues to meet our aspirations.
“The chefs are so integral to what we do and we give them free reign to create new dishes. We first met Chris when he cooked food for our daughter’s wedding reception which was held here. He was the pastry chef at a Michelin starred establishment and we had to wait to get him, but it was worth it.”
The latest change to the Inn is the new reception lobby and lounge, where you can order light bites and a drink and relax or do some work. The central bar, which connects the fine dining room with the open hatch where you can see the chefs prepare your dinner, to the outside area, which champagne and cocktails, have also been updated.
“So many young people have come through our doors as staff and we hope we have nurtured them on their way. Everyone has always mucked in, no one is below cleaning the loos, not even me!” said Viki.
“We have great people in the team and customers come back again and again. We all love doing this and both Kevin and I agree, that in spite of everything, including the recession, we have managed to be able to do what we always wanted to do.
“In our 20s we used to drive round looking and properties and we have been able to live our dream through hard work and determination. The spirit of the place comes from everyone within it and it’s humbling to have been a part of this place,” she added.
To mark the milestone anniversary, Kevin and Viki are giving away vouchers to Hope House and Barnados to win a two night stay including dinner, breakfast and a bottle of champagne on arrival.
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