Every Pud Counts: Longbow Venues Donates £1 From Desserts to Local & National Charities

Longbow Venues is highlighting the impact of its £1 dessert donation initiative, which turns every pudding served across its Peak District venues into vital support for local and national charities.

Since launching the initiative, Longbow has raised thousands of pounds for good causes, with each of its pubs, hotels, and restaurants supporting a different charity that reflects the values of the local community. The idea is simple: for every dessert ordered, £1 is donated directly to a chosen charity, giving guests a sweet reason to indulge while making a meaningful difference.

This year, the desserts and their causes are:

• The Maynard, Grindleford - £1 from each Matcha & White Chocolate Mousse with long du chat biscuit, mango and passionfruit chutney (£9.95) goes to Edale Mountain Rescue, whose volunteers respond to hundreds of callouts every year, rescuing walkers, climbers, and local residents in the Peak District.

• The Peacock at Rowsley, a 3 AA Rosette restaurant and 4-star heritage luxury hotel - £1 from each Chocolate Fondant with miso sauce and orange zest ice cream goes to CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire, The Countryside Charity, which campaigns to protect, promote, and enhance the English countryside for everyone to enjoy, ensuring it thrives for future generations.

• The Peacock at Owler Bar - £1 from each Homemade Bakewell Almond Tart with crème anglaise and raspberry ice cream (£10.95) supports me&dee, a charity that provides continuing care for around 100 families a year with bespoke and unique experiences for families whose lives have been turned upside down by life-limiting conditions or the loss of a loved one.

• The George, Hathersage - £1 from each Mojito Tart with gin-poached summer fruits and vanilla ice cream (£10.95) goes to the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which provides emotional, psychological, and wellbeing support for families facing the death of a parent and also funds vital research into non-smoking lung cancers.

• The Ashford Arms, Ashford-in-the-Water - £1 from each Homemade Bakewell Almond Tart with crème anglaise and raspberry ice cream (£10.95) goes to Blythe House Hospice, which provides palliative and end-of-life care to patients and their families across North Derbyshire.

Tomo Thompson, Media Officer at Edale Mountain Rescue, said:

“We’re proud to be part of a community where local businesses like Longbow Venues step up to support vital services. Our rescue volunteers give their time freely to save lives in the Peak District, and initiatives like this help ensure we can continue to provide that service.”

Mark Harrison, Head of Operations at me&dee, said:

“The support from The Peacock at Owler Bar is wonderful. Every dessert sold contributes to giving families the chance to make precious memories together during some of the toughest times in their lives. It means so much to those we help.”

Hugh Thompson, Head of Partnerships at the Ruth Strauss Foundation, said:

“We are delighted that The George at Hathersage is helping us support families when they need it most. For the parents and children we work with, knowing they are not alone and that others care makes a real difference - even something as simple as enjoying a dessert can ripple out to create lasting impact.”

Shane O’Reilly, CEO at Blythe House Hospice, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Longbow Venues and their customers for supporting Blythe House Hospice through this wonderful initiative. Seven in ten of our patients are cared for thanks to the generosity of our local community, and every pound donated helps us provide vital, free palliative and end-of-life care to local patients and their families, ensuring they receive compassion, dignity, and comfort when they need it most.

“It’s inspiring to see a business so committed to its community, and we’re proud to be part of a partnership that turns something as simple as enjoying a dessert into meaningful support for those who rely on our care.”

Rob Hattersley, Managing Director of Longbow Venues, added:

“Hospitality has always been about more than great food and service – it’s about people. Our teams feel deeply connected to the communities they live and work in, and this dessert initiative is our way of giving back in a way that feels simple but powerful. Guests can treat themselves while also helping charities that mean the world to our staff, our neighbours, and our guests. Alongside our charity walk for Sheffield Children’s Hospital, it’s another example of how we want to use our venues as a force for good.”

This ethos of people over profits has been central to Longbow Venues since opening its first site, The Maynard, in 2020. Today, the collection includes The Peacock at Rowsley, The George at Hathersage, The Maynard in Grindleford, The Ashford Arms, and The Peacock at Owler Bar, with The Charleston, a premium Bakewell restaurant and cocktail bar, set to open in early 2026.

While each venue has its own distinct character, all share the same values: exceptional food without pretension, warm and genuine hospitality, and a commitment to community.

Alongside the dessert donations, the Longbow team also walked 30 kilometres across the Peak District on 2 September to raise £6,000+ for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity. Together, these initiatives highlight Longbow’s belief that small, everyday actions - whether it’s ordering a dessert, donating to a JustGiving page, or cheering on a team of walkers - can combine to create a big difference for charities doing vital work.

For more information on Longbow Venues, visit longbowvenues.com.

ENDS

About Longbow Venues:

Founded in 2019 by Managing Director Rob Hattersley, Longbow Venues is an independent hospitality business based in the Peak District. The company operates a collection of award-winning heritage venues, each offering premium food, drink, and accommodations that showcase the best of the region. Longbow Venues is committed to a "people over profits" philosophy, ensuring exceptional service and memorable experiences for all guests.

longbowvenues.com

Longbow currently operates five venues, with a sixth due to open in early 2026.

• The Charleston, a premium Bakewell restaurant and cocktail bar (opening early 2026): the-charleston.com.

• The Maynard, an award-winning wedding venue, bar, restaurant and hotel in Grindleford: the-maynard.com

• The George Hathersage an iconic and historic bar, restaurant and boutique hotel, which was once frequented by Emily Brontë: thegeorgehathersage.com.   

• The Ashford Arms in Ashford-in-the-Water, which opened on 4 March 2024 following an estimated £1.6m refurbishment in collaboration with Heineken: theashfordarms.com

• The Peacock at Owler Bar, near Sheffield, which was refurbished and reopened in December 2024: peacockowlerbar.com

• The Peacock at Rowsley, a historic luxury hotel and restaurant known for its charm and elegance, offering a fine dining experience that blends tradition with modern culinary artistry: thepeacockatrowsley.com

Awards and Recognitions

Longbow Venues has received multiple accolades, reflecting its dedication to excellence in hospitality:

• The Sunday Times Best Places to Work Awards 2024 and 2025: Recognised for outstanding workplace culture and employee satisfaction.

• Generation Next Awards 2024: Operations Director Stephen Atkinson was honoured as Entrepreneur of the Year, and Longbow Venues received the Investing in Young Talent Award for its commitment to developing young professionals.

• Visit Peak District Tourism Awards 2024: The George Hathersage, one of Longbow's esteemed venues, won the Team of the Year Award, highlighting the exceptional collaboration and service provided by its staff. Executive Chef, Adrian Gagea, won a Bronze award in the Unsung Hero category, and Emma West, won a Bronze in Tourism Young Achiever.

• The Publican Awards 2025: Longbow Venues was shortlisted in the Best Pub Employer (Up to 500 Employees) and Best Food Offer categories.

These recognitions underscore Longbow Venues' dedication to fostering a positive work environment and delivering high-quality experiences to guests.

Commitment to Local Produce and Suppliers

Longbow Venues is dedicated to supporting the local economy by sourcing ingredients from nearby farms, heritage brewers, and artisan producers. This commitment ensures that menus feature the freshest seasonal produce, reflecting the rich agricultural heritage of the Peak District.

Media Enquiries:

Jennifer Bell, Managing Director, Feather & Fern PR

07955 031 986

jen@featherandfernpr.co.uk

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