Bringing hospitality home: The Charleston story
By Rob Hattersley, Managing Director, Longbow Venues
Hospitality and the Peak District are two passions that have shaped my life and career. After 17 years away, I returned to the place that I’ll always call home: Bakewell. It’s here that I founded Longbow Venues, a company dedicated to breathing new life into beautiful, character-filled hospitality spaces. Our mission? To revive the soul of venues that deserve to shine again.
Many of you will remember Aitch’s Wine Bar & Bistro, opened by my parents, John and Diane Hattersley, in 1982. It quickly became a cornerstone of Bakewell’s social scene and a true mecca of Peak District hospitality. I started there as a pot washer at 14 and it was in that bustling kitchen that I discovered my love for the industry. Since its closure 20 years ago, Aitch’s has been deeply missed.
I always knew that I’d return to Bakewell to create something special — something that honored the past while looking boldly to the future. The question was always: Where?
That answer came unexpectedly when a landlord we’ve worked with previously offered me the former Royal Bank of Scotland building in Bakewell. It had stood empty for seven years. A grand Georgian sandstone structure with stunning features: high ceilings, intricate coving, and large, light-filled windows. The moment I stepped inside, I saw potential. I saw The Charleston.
Inspired by the elegance of the 1920s, The Charleston is unlike anything we’ve done before. Bakewell needed something fresh – something for both locals and visitors to fall in love with. We’re curating a vibrant wine list, craft coffees, and cocktails that excite. By day, it’s a relaxed brunch spot; by night, a stylish brasserie.
This is more than a venue, it’s a homecoming. A tribute to where it all began. And I can’t wait to welcome you.
Stay tuned. Something special is coming.
Meet me at The Charleston.
— Rob Hattersley
Managing Director, Longbow Venues
