Brews & Eats
Oxford concierge set for wedding boom

Oxford Concierge says “I Will” to ending lockdown

William Thomson, once the friendly concierge face of Oxford’s Randolph hotel, is gearing up
for a surge in wedding and party planning as the country looks beyond the end of lockdown.
His new business, the concierge and event planning venture Ask William, is fielding a boom
in enquiries for weddings, anniversaries and events from a pent-up public wanting long
awaited celebrations.“Last year was the year of the cancelled birthday, abandoned trips and delayed weddings” says William “but we are now sensing a real urgency for help with bookings and
arrangements for this summer and beyond.”In the last week, Ask William has advised on various weddings, rescheduled birthdays, a corporate dining club and an overseas business trip to Oxford. With the prime minister’s roadmap out of lockdown suggesting that restrictions could be gone by June 21st, the event
organiser is cautiously confident in the return of celebration. According to William, people
are desperate to have something to look forward to and many, having saved money during
lockdown, have the funds to make things happen in style. A recent report by the Bank of England says that British households have built up record savings during the pandemic ‘hibernation’ , saving up to five times as much as in any othernine month period on record. If households start spending the £125bn now believed to sit
in savings, post pandemic Britain could see a boom. Forecasters are predicting strong
competition for hotel rooms and restaurant tables as people escape their ‘cabin fever’.
Sources in London suggest that Saturday weddings in the capital may already be fully
booked for 2022.

William says “Like everyone, we are longing to see restrictions lifted safely and
permanently. It’s early days, but we are definitely seeing hopeful first steps towards people 2
planning their return to social life. We are busy working with venues and other hospitality suppliers to help make the transition back to normality with caution and care”.William has been a familiar face to locals and visitors to Oxford for over fifteen years. He started his career at the Bear hotel in Woodstock at age 18 before quickly moving on to assist guests as the flamboyant head concierge of Oxford’s five star Randolph hotel on
Beaumont Street. Made redundant last September as a result of Covid and new hotel
ownership, William decided to launch his own business instead of joining the long ranks of
those out of work. He is now busy drawing on his large professional network to form expert and colourful
teams, ready to create and deliver exceptional events. William is Oxford’s only member of
the international group of elite concierges, Les Clefs d’Or, giving him access to top class
assistance around the world. This prestigious organisation awarded William the global
accolade of “Young Concierge of the Year 2016” in a competition with peers from around
the world. Closer to home, he works with specialists such as Chauffeur/Owner Jonathan Sayers of
Concierge Wedding Cars and florist Alison Thompson of Kidlington’s Flower Ladies. His little black book of trusted colleagues lists the county’s premier venues, caterers, tailors,milliners, photographers and many other crafts people and specialists in the world of travel,tourism, events and leisure. William hopes that bringing businesses together in this way will help revitalise the local economy, and hospitality in general: “I have been in the world of hospitality all my life”William explains “and I am determined to do whatever I can to help my beloved industry get back on its feet and thrive again. As we leave this terrible pandemic behind, I will bring everything I can to the table, to get this party started!” Contact William and his team at www.askwilliam.co.uk Call 01865 341993 or 07960 28996107885 066163 or hello@askwilliam.co.uk