Simonburn Tearooms now hosting hen parties

Apr 10 2010 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

WHEN you think of hen parties you may imagine groups of women wandering around city streets.

You picture the bride-to-be dressed in a bin bag with the words ‘Getting Married’ on, or bearing an L plate and veil.

But in one part of Northumberland, the hen parties will be slightly more high brow.

Simonburn Tearooms, near Hexham, has decided to cater for hen parties who want something a little bit more up-market.

Owner Ann Maddison, 54, has come up with the idea of Tea Hens, which will also cater for those older brides-to-be who do not fancy a night on the Bigg Market.

She explained: “I was just looking at more innovation for alternative uses of my tearooms and, it being such a beautiful site, what would go down well.

“Someone came up with the idea of hen parties, and that’s how we came up with the name Tea Hens.

“There are a lot of the older generation getting married who may not want to do the traditional hen night and are looking for venues.”

The tearooms will be offering beauticians, afternoon tea and a never-ending supply of champagne.

Ann will provide hair stylists, wedding planners, flower arrangers and wedding cake-makers who will all be on hand to offer advice.

A pamper session can also arranged for manicures and massages.

Ann will cater for all dietary needs and use locally-sourced organic food.

Her aim is to make the Tea Hens feel special and she will pander to their every whim.

Ann said: “What could be nicer if you’re on your hen night or afternoon then sitting back getting a massage and drinking champagne?“

Ann has produced leaflets which she will distribute via the tearooms and to wedding fares and magazines.

She also plans to send them a photographic portfolio she has compiled.

The first hen party will take place once bookings start to come in.

The tearooms are also a bed and breakfast and Ann has owned them and lived at the site for the last five years.

They are set in a small village which was used to film several Catherine Cookson dramas.

Ann is launching her newly-revamped website next week which will have more details of her ventures. The address is www.simonburntearooms.com