Cheshire women in business: leisure

7 more Cheshire women in business who ensure you - or a special friend - have a smile on your face

Pamela Reckert (Image: Martin Hambleton)

PAMELA RECKERT

Director of Sales, Mottram Hall

What's special about your business?

Mottram Hall is a beautiful Georgian House on 270 acres of land with an 18 hole Championship Golf Course and a AA Rosette Restaurant. We are currently having a large refurbishment of our Spa and Leisure facilities which is due to complete inAugust and we will be the first Champneys Resort in the North. Our aim is to be the number one Spa in Cheshire and we have recently had a new bar and reception put into the main house so it is going to be stunning when it is all completed.

What do you love about your job?

I love the reaction from people when you take them around the hotel for the first time and they always absolutely love it. I also get to meet so many interesting people and work with some fantastic charities.

How do you unwind?

A spa day for me is the perfect way to relax and spending time with my family and friends.

Mottram Hall, Wilmslow Road, Mottram St Andrews, Cheshire, SK10 4QT

01625 822140, mottramhall.com

Tina Mckeever (Image: Archant)

TINA MCKEEVER

Owner Hilltop Boutique Cattery

What's special about your business?

Hilltop Boutique is a luxurious and unique hotel for feline family members with stunning panoramic views. We are always looking to incorporate new features to each suite to ensure our guests have the best home from home experience with plenty of one to one attention. Our unique cattery is split into 4 areas so each has its own special view. We have the Woodland View Suites which perch right into the woods with lots of wildlife to keep your feline entertained. Our elevated Garden View Suites offer beautiful landscape views which are wrapped around a fantastic glass balustrade. The Orchard and chic Hedgerow suites both offer unique positions within an apple orchard and a quiet hedgerow. We are now in the process of building the ultimate Woodland View villa, which will have state of the art facilities.

How do you unwind?

I have a passion for horses. I own my own horse and time with her helps recharge my batteries whether that's competing or just relaxing at the stables.

What keeps you focused?

Ensuring that all guests go home happy and relaxed, striving to constantly evolve by introducing new concepts into the business and ultimately to ensure we are the best at what we do at Hilltop. As we approach our first anniversary it's amazing that over 95% of our customers have already returned at least once, some several times!

62 Bates Lane Helsby Cheshire WA6 9LF

07305 189249, hilltopboutiquecattery.co.uk

Judith Kenyon (Image: Archant)

JUDITH KENYON

Events Director JayKay Events

What's special about your business?

Each client is unique, but what is constant is my drive to deliver the perfect event and my enthusiasm shows in each and every detail, which is absorbed by clients and guests. People leave my events feeling inspired, excited and fulfilled.

What's your best piece of business advice?

Don't give in to 'imposter syndrome'. So many people feel like this in many scenarios, or look at others and feel they should be doing better. I've learnt to beat my imposter syndrome through sheer hard work and confidence boosting - something I help other's with regularly, by reminding them that so many feel, or have felt, that at some point in their life.

What do you love about your job?

Everything! What a cliché, but it's true! When I have a first meeting to discuss a client's event idea, I get excited as thoughts pour into my head as to what the event should look like to meet their aim. As I share these ideas, I watch the client become more excited and engaged. Everything is done with the client's target in mind, and I always make sure that it is everything they want and more!

07941 986806

jaykayevents.co.uk

Ann Stapleton Amphlett (Image: Archant)

ANN STAPLETON AMPHLETT

General Manager Swan with Two Nicks

What's special about your business?

The Swan with two Nicks is a well established Country Pub and Dining venue, nestled next to Dunham Massey country park. It's such a beautiful place to visit both in winter and summer and is a home from home for many guests with its cosy ambience and friendly staff. We pride ourselves on freshly prepared home-cooked food using only local suppliers. This is a breath of fresh air in the current trend of Brewery managed pubs with the same menu in all sites.

What keeps you focused?

The ever changing market place and keeping up with trends. I myself have seen a huge swing to vegan foods and it's a pleasure to be able to offer this so that all diners feel they can now enjoy what they want to eat and not be compromised. The whole industry is always evolving and it's an exciting industry to be in.

What do you love about your job?

This is not a job, it's a way of life; I am a real people person and aim to meet and exceed my customer's expectations. Nothing rewards me more than a simple 'Thank you' off a happy customer, whether they have simply had a cup of coffee or a birthday meal. I love organising one off events for customers to make happy memories for them. But the best bit is we are dog friendly and I get to cuddle gorgeous dogs every day.

Park Lane, Little Bollington, WA14 4TJ 0161 9282914, swanwithtwonicks

LINDA BOOTH

Linda Booth (Image: Archant)

Owner Lifestyle Boutique 31 Ltd

What's special about your business?

Lifestyle Boutique 31 is an independent retailer specialising in hand sourced, luxury home accessories, combined with a champagne and fine wine boutique, offering beautiful and eclectic statement pieces, couture candles and bespoke upholstery. We have a fully licensed, small and extremely chic champagne and fine wine bar available for intimate gatherings and wine tasting events. A hidden gem in the heart of Lower Heswall Village!

What do you love about your job?

I hugely enjoy being able to offer the very best in customer service that excels beyond going the extra mile. The high street has seen a resurgence towards the independent retailer who can offer niche products and take the time to offer specialist advice that not only makes the customer feel valued, but they are getting the much needed personal service that is lacking in many of the larger chain stores.

What keeps you focused?

Being instrumental in the regeneration of the high street and the exciting times ahead certainly keeps me focused. Consumer purchasing is evolving and as a newcomer to the village and its local community, I am more than delighted to respond to the changing consumer demands.

31 Village Road, Lower Heswall, Wirral CH60 0DX

07720 772728, lifestyleboutique31.co.uk

DENISE FRASER

Denise Fraser (Image: Archant)

Managing Director Cresta World Travel

What's special about your business?

Cresta is special as it's been a part of Altrincham for over 50 years and holds fond memories for many people in the area. It's also unique as it looks after the travel needs of corporate clients, those in the sporting world and, my favourite bit, the wonderful holidays of all our lovely clients. Of course what really makes our business special is the fantastic bunch of people who work for Cresta.

How do you unwind?

Life can be stressful and I personally thrive on being busy so it's taken me a long time to perfect the art of unwinding. Nowadays I love going for long walks in the Cheshire countryside with my partner Simon and our dog Archie, especially if the walk ends in a cosy pub somewhere. I also practise and teach yoga and there is nothing better than rolling out that yoga mat and switching off from all outside influences for a while. It is also really lovely to be able to share this with those who come along to my classes.

What keeps you focused?

The end goal always keeps me focused, if I have a vision or an idea of where I want a project or plan to end up it really drives me. I like to plan everything and my diary is my best friend, anything I put in there is a commitment and keeps me on the right track, that way I can't get as distracted by the day to day things that crop up.

Cresta House, 32 Victoria St, Altrincham WA14 1ET

0161 927 7177 crestaworldtravel.co.uk

ALICE HULLEY

Alice Hulley (Image: Archant)

Leisure Director Waterside Hotel and Leisure Club

What's special about your business?

We're an independently run business which means we can make decisions that suit not only the company, but more importantly the customers who use our services. Having been at the Waterside for the past 10 years, I have seen huge improvements in both the facilities and the culture which have been heavily led by customer feedback. This has ultimately created a people centred business where customer satisfaction is at the forefront of everything we do.

What do you love about your job?

I love the rapport that I have built with our customers and feel privileged that members know they can contact me or approach me in the club with questions, suggestions or just for a general chat. I also love the variety that comes with my job as no two days are the same and I am always working on something that moves the business forwards.

If you could go back and tell your 13 year-old self something, what would it be?

I would tell her not to worry about what everyone else thinks quite as much and to surround herself with like-minded people who support and celebrate success.

Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 5WZ

0161 9717000, waterside-leisureclub.co.uk