Meet Melissa, your Hospitality Manager at The Wyldewoods
As we approach the opening of The Wyldewoods, we’re excited to introduce you to the team selected to bring this vibrant new community in Chester to life. The Wyldewoods offers a different kind of retirement—one for those who want to continue living on their own terms: independently, connected, and in control.
Beautifully designed apartments surrounded by landscaped green spaces, The Wyldewoods offers a wide range of amenities and services right at your doorstep. It’s a place where you can thrive, enjoy life, and stay engaged with a supportive community.
Today, we’re excited to introduce Melissa Barritt, who joins us as The Wyldewoods Hospitality Manager.
Welcome Melissa
Melissa’s role is central to the daily buzz at The Wyldewoods. As Hospitality Manager, “My role involves looking after our bar, restaurant, and onsite shop,” says Melissa. Ensuring that both residents and visitors enjoy exceptional service and a welcoming atmosphere. “I’ll be making sure guests have a great first impression and feel like it’s somewhere they want to return to.”
Melissa is already working closely with Ronnie, our Community Coordinator, to organise events and themed evenings that will bring residents together and help create a warm, community-driven environment.
What brought Melissa to The Wyldewoods?
Before joining our team, Melissa spent ten years as a Duty Manager at a nearby retirement village, where she honed her skills and gained valuable experience in the later-living sector. A Chester native and long-time resident, Melissa was naturally drawn to The Wyldewoods, having watched it being built. Now, she's excited and ready for a new challenge.
“The Wyldewoods really appealed to me because it’s a brand-new development, and I can be part of building the village community from the very start,” she explains. “I was also excited to focus more specifically on hospitality. I’ve always been in customer-focused roles, and this opportunity allows me to channel my energy into creating a fantastic dining and social experience for everyone.”
Melissa is also committed to sustainability, which is another reason The Wyldewoods stood out to her. “I‘m very planet positive so was also attracted by the sustainability strategy as I am very keen to do what I can to help protect the planet.
Key skills and perspectives Melissa brings to her role
Melissa’s friendly, bubbly personality is a natural fit for her role in hospitality. “I’m a people person,” she says. “I love to chat to people, providing great service with a smile but also getting to know people, building that rapport.”
Good communication and listening skills are at the core of Melissa’s day-to-day work. She’s dedicated to ensuring that everyone who steps through the doors at The Wyldewoods feels welcomed, heard, and well taken care of.
I love the buzz of hospitality—the energy, the pace, and making sure people leave with a smile.
What excites Melissa most about her role?
“The most exciting part of my job will be seeing the restaurant and communal facilities when they open,” says Melissa. “I can’t wait to see the space filled with people, knowing it’s somewhere they enjoy being. The most rewarding part will definitely be helping to build that community feel—being there for our residents when they need a friendly face or a chat.”
Melissa’s life outside The Wyldewoods
When she’s not at work, Melissa is a self-proclaimed foodie. “I love going out for meals and trying new places, and I enjoy cooking at home too—Mexican food is probably my favourite to make!”
Melissa is an outdoor enthusiast who loves walking, cycling, and paddleboarding, especially in the Lake District, her favourite spot for its stunning scenery. “It’s such beautiful scenery, I just love walking there,” she says. She’s also passionate about travel, with New Zealand and Croatia as top destinations, and recently taken up gardening, finding it both relaxing and rewarding.
With Melissa’s enthusiasm for hospitality and her friendly, customer-focused approach, we’re confident she’ll help make The Wyldewoods a place where both residents and visitors feel right at home.
Learn more about The Wyldewoods