Community
Our projects contribute to local vitality, and the direct and indirect benefits of our activities drive prosperity and enhance societal well-being. We also foster the engagement of our employees and support and run an in-house charity, Room to Reward, with the goal of having a lasting and significant impact on the communities we serve.
Heritage
Through distinct and sympathetic restoration of landmark structures, we aim to act as preservationists and conservationists over the heritage buildings and locations that we are so fortunate to act as guardian to.
Nicolas James regularly chooses to tackle these more complex opportunities, calling upon our extensive experience of working within historic properties to ensure that they are preserved for generations to come.
Environmental Conscience
In a rapidly changing and accelerating global environmental landscape, there is no opportunity for compromise when it comes to protecting the world’s delicate eco-sytems both now and into the future. At Nicolas James we are continually learning and improving our environmental strategy to ensure that our projects work to not only preserve our natural habitats, but to enhance and improve them. From small details such as timers on towel radiators in our hotels to completely carbon neutral builds, we won’t stop challenging ourselves to be better.
Avington Park
Avington Park, a historic and influential country estate managed and developed by Nicolas James, is rich in heritage and ingrained in the Hampshire countryside and environments of the immediate banks of the River Itchen. A series of ecological initiatives and sympathetic restoration have ensured that since taking over the property in 2020, Nicolas James has greatly enhanced the environmental standing of the landmark property, preserving it for future generations.
This sympathetic care-taking approach has extended to various smaller developments in the surrounding villages such as the full refurbishment of a previously shuttered local pub, The Chestnut Horse. Alongside the renovation of the existing building, a new restaurant and farm shop have been incorporated into an extension building, providing a much needed place of community and convenience
Avington truly is a prime example of the way in which Nicolas James goes well beyond the reaches of typical devlopment and investment firms.
Charity
Founded by Chairman Nicolas Roach, Room to Reward is a unique charity created to give something back to those who do so much, for so many. All over the U.K., there are hundreds of thousands of people making a difference where it’s needed most, people whose words, deeds, and actions make the world a better place. Room to Reward enables registered charities to give something back to these inspirational individuals with a well-earned break at no cost to themselves.
Room to Reward partners with hotels who donate their anticipated unsold rooms to the scheme. Charities are then invited to nominate their Hidden Heroes for a 1-2 night complimentary break to enjoy with a friend/loved one.
Hotels throughout the country – as well as properties in Europe – have joined the initiative, helping to say ‘Thank You’ to society’s Hidden Heroes and celebrating the difference they make.