News & Events
Mats The Way To Do It - Darley Mill Awards Prizes For Best Restaurant Placemat Designs
10th March 2009 00:00:00
Children from a Nidderdale primary school who took part in a competition to design activity placemats for the Darley Mill Centre’s restaurant have been rewarded for their efforts this week.
The 65 children of Dacre Braithwaite C of E Primary School – aged between four and 11, were set the challenge by the Mill’s new owners to create a placemat that would keep young diners occupied while waiting for their food.
They were also asked to help with the Mill’s important market research into what dishes to put on the children’s menu.
Darley Mill owner Ross Leventhal said: “We were really impressed with the quality of the children’s designs. A lot of time, effort and thought had gone into their creations and we had a very difficult task in choosing a winner.
“In the end we awarded two first prizes to Molly Richardson, nine, and Sean O’Brien, seven. We have also given all the pupils a voucher so they can come and enjoy a complimentary meal at the Mill, and of course see Molly and Sean’s placemats.”
Ross added: “The market research has been invaluable. It also threw up a number of surprising answers. I never knew chicken korma was so popular with children!
“The information has now been used to help us create a menu of dishes that children like and actually want to eat.”
The new Darley Mill Centre officially opens its doors on Friday, March 20, following a major three-month programme of refurbishment, offering visitors an “experience beyond shopping”.
It boasts three retail floors themed on home, garden and gifts; 60 seat restaurant and children’s outdoor play area, together with a fully-restored 27ft diameter water wheel.
Regular weekend events will be staged in the Mill’s extensive grounds and future, ambitious, plans include a garden centre and children’s petting farm.
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