Family-run Northants visitor attraction welcomes community to celebrate ‘heritage, charm and character’
A popular family-run visitor attraction in Northamptonshire recently welcomed the community to celebrate its “heritage, charm and character”.
Jeyes of Earls Barton, located on The Square, hosted its first ‘Events Inspiration’ networking event earlier in the month, which brought businesses and event professionals together to showcase its offering.
The venue is at the heart of the village in the shadow of one of England’s finest Anglo-Saxon towers, and takes pride in blending hospitality, retail and history.
The Jeyes family are passionate about creating an unforgettable experience and making a lasting impression on regular guests, new customers and visiting tourists alike. This also includes championing local collaborations, produce and communities.
Together, they have maintained the family ethos while introducing new and exciting brands, products and experiences to loyal visitors.
With Georgina, Philippa and Anna Jeyes at the helm, the trio used the recent networking gathering to introduce their event spaces to a wider audience. Business owners, event organisers and creative professionals connected, shared ideas and discovered more about the Jeyes story.
Pip and Anna partnered with Karen from Serene Events to style the venue with floral decor, transforming the indoor and outdoor spaces to demonstrate the wide variety of ways that Jeyes can be used.
From baby showers and bridal celebrations, to weddings and celebrations of life, each area was thoughtfully dressed to reflect its potential.
Guests enjoyed talks from Maddie The Happy Celebrant, music from Chloe King Vocals, sweet treats from Justin Lane Desserts, a guided tour of Heritage at Jeyes, and a performance of ‘Mother Knows Best’ by Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company.
The performance told the story of Northampton-born brothers John Jeyes, inventor of Jeyes Fluid, and Philadelphus Jeyes, creator of Jeyes’ Northamptonshire Sauce.
There was plenty of time for guests to catch up and explore opportunities to support one another across the county.
Among the guests was Suzanne Oliver from the Heritage Project Team at the University of Northampton and she said: “I’ve visited Jeyes of Earls Barton many times over the years for gifts and lunch, and I’ve always appreciated its remarkable heritage.
“But attending the showcase event felt like seeing the full heart and soul of the place for the first time. What stands out most is the family at the centre of it all. In a world of corporate venues, Georgina, Pip and Anna offer something that cannot be manufactured – genuine warmth and a living legacy.”
Watching the journey of Philadelphus Jeyes made Suzanne realise this is not just a business, but a family story that has been shared for generations.
Kerry Lewis-Stevenson, who has led the evolution of Pulse Group Media and is well-known among Northampton’s business community, was also in attendance.
“Most businesses try to create a story, Jeyes already has one,” said Kerry. “This was no typical event, the Jeyes family did something much smarter.
“They allowed people to experience the venue properly – the museum, the food, the history and the networking. At a time when so much branding feels manufactured, Jeyes feels like the complete opposite.
“You leave remembering the atmosphere of the place more than any sales message, and not many businesses can achieve that.”
Reflecting on the success of the event, the Jeyes family concluded: “We were delighted to welcome friends from the tourism, hospitality and wider business communities, and the feedback has been fantastic.
“Many of the local suppliers who supported the event have already made new contacts and secured bookings for events across the county, so it feels like mission accomplished.”
The Jeyes family invites everyone to visit their distinctive attraction, discover its history and become part of its growing local network. Whatever the occasion, guests can expect a unique venue and a warm welcome.