The Maids Head Norwich – England’s Oldest Hotel – Marks English Tourism Week

Simon Wright MP for Norwich South met David Chaplin, the new owner of the 13th century Maids Head Hotel in Tombland Norwich, on Friday, March 22 to mark English Tourism Week. The hotel is believed to be the oldest in England.

In The Wine Press Restaurant, front Simon Wright MP and David Chaplin owner of The Maids Head   Hotel and back left to right: Nick Bond Visit Norwich, Melanie Cook Visit Norwich, Christine Malcolm, General Manager The Maids Head Hotel
    
The Chaplin family, which owns the four-star Gonville Hotel in Cambridge, bought the Maids Head Hotel (also four-star) in December 2012. Mr Chaplin, whose family has many connections with the area said: “We are very excited to have brought the hotel back into private ownership. The Maids Head has a long and distinguished history hosting Norwich celebrations throughout the centuries and welcoming many famous faces including The Black Prince and Catharine of Aragon and in more recent times, David Niven and Morecambe and Wise. I was delighted to show Mr Wright the hotel and explain our ambition for the Maids Head to be one of the leading independent hotels in East Anglia.”

Mr Chaplin added: “Norwich has a brilliant cultural, heritage and shopping offer. We look forward to working with Visit Norwich, Norwich HEART and other partners in the Cathedral Quarter to promote Norwich as one of the top city break destinations in England.”

Simon Wright MP said: “The Maids Head is an important part of Norwich’s heritage, and is known to be the oldest hotel in the country. I’m delighted that it’s now in the hands of a family who care about the area, and who are committed to delivering a successful future for the hotel.”

A new emphasis on using local suppliers and contractors has been introduced and the hotel team is aiming for a second AA Rosette for the Wine Press restaurant. Improvements planned in the hotel include refurbishment of the public area toilets, installation of electronic locks on the guest bedrooms, enhancing guest suites and an upgrading the boiler system.

For more information about The Maids Head Hotel see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk, t 01603 209955.

Tourism in Norwich is worth £432 million to the local economy, supporting 7,357 jobs, with more than 5.2 million visitors annually, www.visitnorwich.co.uk.