40 Years In Business
John & Sally Celebrate 40 Years
It was forty years ago on the 1st May 1970 when John and Sally Williamson arrived in Fivemiletown and procured the Valley Hotel which was first established in 1685 as an Old Stage Coach Inn. They were in their early 20s with little experience in hospitality and some weresceptical this fresh faced couple could make it a success and a local businessman jested they wouldn't last 6-weeks. However with their commitment, drive and charisma they were set to make it nothing other than asuccess. They had much support locally, and to name but a few the late Mr and Mrs Bertie Burke, who worked a lifetime in the hotel and was part of four generations of Burkes to work in the hotel with their son Winston still part of the team today. Also from Collen Megaw and his late wife Maureen, who visited the hotel on their arrival to give them a warm welcome to the village and quickly became stedfast friends of John and Sally. Forty years on and the hotel is still thriving. John and Sally's four children Diane, Paul, Greg and Lisa are fully integrated and passionate about ensuring its continued success as a family business.
Over the last five years the hotel has undergone a major refurbishment andis now an AA 3-star hotel with 22 fabulously dressed rooms designed by Sally, two bars, Loco and Marbles, a 100 seat restaurant and a function room that can cater up to 250.
Many people will have fond memories of the hotel over the last 40 years whether it be in the early days when steak and chips cost 17 and 6 pence (87p) and bottles of beer 10 pence, with great nights out in the blue room (now Loco) and Petty Sessions (now Marbles) and the 'lethal craic' that was had in the infamous 'Green Hut'. The hut was erected as a temporary bar following a car bomb on 25th August 1972 which destroyed the front of the hotel. The front was reopened on Good Friday 1979 and catered for a phenomenal 1,100 meals over the Easter weekend. It was on the 3rd December 1975 the function room was opened after being built by the late Wilfred Anderson. Throughout the years it has hosted many Big Band nights, world-class DJs and personalities including Atomic Kitten, Samantha Fox, Sineta, Jason Donavon and the late Jade Goody.
The Valley has always been renowned for its reputation of good food and excellent service and is a member of the Flavour of Tyrone's Good Food Circle which encourages the use of quality local fresh produce. The menu has also recently undergone a revamp with a combination of tasty new dishes along with some of the old favourites. This reputation has led to the Valley being a popular venue for holding important events such as birthdays, anniversaries, christenings, holy communions and with weddings fast becoming a popular place to tie the knot with civil and partner ceremonies now available. The hotel has recently launched their new wedding portfolio andwebsite (www.valleyhotelweddings.com).
The growth in business and excellent reviews on trip advisor is a testimoney to the ethos of hospitality that John and Sally set out to do many years ago.
John and Sally along with all the family would like to take this opportunity to thank the local and wider community for their continued support over the last 40 years and years to come.