Hollywood A-lister George Clooney joined recently licensed trade A-lister David Wither at his Tigerlily venue in Edinburgh’s George Street for a bite of lunch along with some of the most influential men and women in Scotland – including Sir Tom Hunter and Jim McColl. He was visiting the city to show his support for the charity Social Bite.
As well as lunching at Tigerlily he stayed at Edinburgh’s newly refurbished George Hotel. His stay coincided with an announcement by the hotel that it was to engage in a year-long campaign to raise funds for the social venture charity, Social Bite, that supports the homeless community throughout Scotland.
Oscar-winner George Clooney took time out from his hectic schedule to leave a message in the hotel’s guestbook to commemorate the start of the new initiative. The actor and director, who was the first person to stay in one of the hotel’s luxurious new suites, was presented with Scottish gifts as a thank you. Herringbone Harris Tweed dog collars were personalised for his beloved pets Millie, Einstein and Louie, with matching accessories for his wife, Amal and the actor himself.
The George Hotel – along with its four iconic sister hotels: The Roxburghe and The Bonham in Edinburgh and Blythswood Square and Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow – will be raising money for the charity over the course of the next year.
Each of the venues’ restaurants – The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, Restaurant at Blythswood Square, Tempus Restaurant at Grand Central, Restaurant at The Bonham and the George Street Bar & Grill will participate and the group will continue to support Social Bite throughout 2016 with in-kind support at each of the five hotels as well as sponsoring a glittering fundraising ball at The Grand Central Hotel next year.
Laurie Nicol, regional operations director for Scotland for Principal Hayley Hotels, said, “Social Bite is a tremendous organisation that is doing an outstanding amount of good for homeless people across Edinburgh and Glasgow and we’re very proud to support its cause as our charity for 2016.
“To have George Clooney as a guest in our hotel and our new restaurant has been both a privilege and an honour and will only serve to heighten awareness of the amazing work that Josh and his team carry out on a daily basis”.