An Oakham hotel has announced a "new approach to dining" amid "significant increases in costs".

The Wisteria Hotel has announced new partnerships with Mediterranean Palate and Sarpech Indian Restaurant alongside exciting plans for its Christmas offering.

The partnerships also form part of a wider change to Wisteria Hotel's food and beverage operation from Tuesday 3 November.

Like many independent hospitality businesses, Wisteria Hotel has experienced "significant increases in the cost of operating its restaurant since Covid".

As a result, the hotel says operating its traditional restaurant model is "no longer economically sustainable".

From 3 November, individual lunch, Sunday lunch and dinner table bookings will therefore no longer be available for non-residents.

The hotel itself, however, remains very much open to local customers.

Non-residents will continue to be welcome for tea and coffee, drinks and bar snacks, while afternoon tea will remain available to book as normal.

Breakfast for hotel residents is unaffected.

For residents who would prefer to dine at the hotel in the evening, Wisteria will introduce a small Homestyle Supper Menu which will be available seven days per week, alongside its Bar Snack Menu.

Homestyle Suppers will be freshly prepared specifically for the guests dining each evening and will therefore need to be pre-ordered by 10am on the day of dining, either online or through reception.

The hotel will also continue to provide in-house catering for Celebrations of Life and group meeting lunches, while larger group dining, private functions and events will continue with the additional choice offered through its local catering partnerships.

Kristy Carey added: "We know that changing the way our restaurant operates is significant, particularly for local customers who have supported us over the years, and we are enormously grateful for that support.

"Rather than simply removing food service, we have looked at how we can adapt.

"We can continue providing our resident guests with a relaxed evening supper, keep our bar, bar snacks and Afternoon Tea available, and at the same time work with some brilliant local businesses to develop our group dining and events offering.

"Rutland has earned its reputation as the County of Good Taste, and we would like to play our part in encouraging visitors to discover more of the independent restaurants, pubs, caterers and food businesses we are fortunate to have on our doorstep."

Christmas celebrations at Wisteria Hotel

Wisteria Hotel's Christmas 2026 offering includes:

• Festive Afternoon Tea
• Private plated Christmas lunches and dinners from Mediterranean Palate
• Festive grazing tables and canapés from Mediterranean Palate
• Hot fork and finger buffets, grazing tables and canapés from Sarpech Indian Restaurant
• Private function rooms for family, friends and workplace celebrations
• Drinks packages and private bar options

The hotel's Christmas brochure describes the offering as providing a variety of flavours, styles and packages for different occasions and budgets, with the Wisteria team and its catering partners working together to help groups create their celebration.

For Christmas party and group booking enquiries, please contact Wisteria Hotel directly.