Forty Years & Counting
The Gibbon Bridge Hotel at Chipping remains at the forefront of the hospitality industry in terms of delicious food, luxurious accommodation and as a leading wedding venue
A trailblazer in the Ribble Valley hospitality business, hotelier Janet Simpson and her loyal team are celebrating 40 years at the Gibbon Bridge Hotel.
From humble beginnings as a six-bedroom guesthouse in a converted farm building, the Gibbon Bridge has progressed to a luxurious hotel featuring 30 individually-designed bedrooms, beautifully manicured gardens, private al-fresco dining areas, an award-winning bandstand which is much sought-after for prestigious weddings, a stunning orangery and a large neatly-tended kitchen garden that supplies head chef Gary Buxton with fresh fruit and vegetables as well as decorative flowers for the hotel.
This is a four-decade success story that continues to break new ground with Janet’s loyal team driving the hotel forwards with weddings booked well into next year, regular guests enjoying the fantastic food and a series of seasonal events that are booked up way in advance.
“There’s a lot of history behind the Gibbon Bridge,” says General Manager Edward Walmsley.
“It is an amazing achievement for any independent business to enjoy success spanning 40 years and no mean feat in the hospitality industry.
“The Gibbon Bridge under Janet’s leadership has thrived. Nothing has changed in that respect – 2022 has been a fantastic year and we are now looking ahead to a busy 2023!”
A classic car enthusiast, Janet is a skilled chef and it was her love of cooking as a young woman that led her to set up the Gibbon Bridge.
Her family originally had the tenancy for the original 40-acre Gibbon Bridge farm, which they later went on to buy along with a barn and a piece of land.
At the time the family had bought a shop on Whalley New Road in Blackburn where Janet and her mother used to bake cakes and sell them on Blackburn market. As the business took off, they decided to set up their own commercial kitchen in an outbuilding at the Gibbon Bridge and it was then that Janet’s vision of setting up a small guest house started to take shape.
With the backing of the English Tourist Board and encouragement from her mum Maggie, Janet received planning permission and work began to convert the barn.
Her positive attitude and her determination paid off – the vision became a reality and TV chat show host Russell Harty opened the Gibbon Bridge on 28th November 1982.
Janet has always been surrounded by a hard-working team who have supported her throughout the last 40 years, and as word spread about the first-class food, the Gibbon Bridge’s trailblazing reputation soared.
Four years later a further nine bedrooms were added and following that, a number of luxurious suites.
Janet’s relentless determination and ambition made the Gibbon Bridge the place to eat and stay in the Ribble Valley – and it remains to this day one of the most popular venues located in the heart of the beautiful Forest of Bowland.
Behind the scenes, Janet’s favourite place to be has always been in the kitchen creating delicious dishes with local provenance. Today, she has taken a step back and while her influence can still be seen on the menu, head chef Gary, who has been part of the team for 25 years, follows in her footsteps creating fabulous food immaculately presented.
Time never stands still at the hotel and today the Gibbon Bridge remains a place where the original ethos remains – ‘forever the richer’ a motto that relates to the guests and the people that have stayed there.
The core team at the Gibbon Bridge, working alongside Janet, have always endeavoured to enhance the guest experience – making their stay memorable. And, in return Janet has by her own acknowledgment made many friends over the years that continue to make her life ‘ever the richer’.
She has hosted classic car events at the hotel meeting and hosting other enthusiasts from all over the world – many of whom have also become firm friends.
Working alongside Janet, her team are taking the Gibbon Bridge forward, creating opportunities for guests who appreciate the world class service and unrivalled food.
As 2022 draws to a close the team is looking ahead to another exciting year at the hotel, with many forthcoming events over the Christmas period and a calendar that will see musical afternoon teas, workshops and glamorous weddings throughout next year.
Well-wishers from all over the globe have sent their congratulations to Janet and the team congratulating them on their 40 years of success – and long may it continue!
Gibbon Bridge Hotel
Chipping PR3 2TQ
01995 61456
gibbon-bridge.co.uk
