Over 200 VIP guests and dignitaries attended the highly anticipated opening of The Kedleston Country House on the outskirts of Derby
The guests, including the Rt Hon James and Rt Hon Richard Curzon, Sam Rush and John Vickers of Derby County, and Mayor Paul Pegg and Mayor Trevor Ainsworth, mingled in the newly landscaped Georgian garden, sipping on custom-designed Kedleston punch – just one of a range of Georgian inspired cocktails created by the Kedleston Country House team. Lady Helen Scarsdale officially opened the venue, wishing the Harris family and Derby Brewing Company every success with the venture. Guests were then invited to explore the Robert Adam designed, Grade II* listed building.
The five-year project has included adding a Georgian-inspired Orangery, reinstating the elegant Dining Room, and restoring original features such as decorative cornicing, a fireplace and beautiful square doorways to the Snug, Parlour, Bar and Hidden Study.
Interiors have been sympathetically modernised, in partnership with British interiors company, Plum & Ashby, whose representative, Vicky White, spoke of the design philosophy behind the renovation. Group Executive Chef, Gary Nock, introduced guests to the fresh, locally sourced or home-grown taste partnerships on the modern British menu, serving tasty canapés. Pierre and Jean-Pierre Hourlier of Pierre Hourlier Wines provided a tasting of some of the 85 hand-selected wines available and guests left with a miniature sample of a bespoke Kedleston Country House Gin.
Derby Brewing Company Director, Paul Harris said, ‘The project has been many years in the making and we are thrilled to finally share our vision for the Kedleston. We all hope everyone likes what we have created and that we have returned the iconic Kedleston Country House back to something Derby will enjoy for years to come.’
His father Trevor added: ‘It’s fantastic to finally get drinks flowing once again and see all our hard work come to fruition.’
