Copthorne Newcastle hosted its annual staff Christmas lunch on 23 December 2019, which coincided with a significant milestone birthday for General Manager Mr Ken Ellington. Mr Ellington turned 50 the following day on Christmas Eve, and was treated to a surprise celebration during the staff lunch, from which he had no escape! Having spent most of his 40s at the helm of Copthorne Newcastle, Mr Ellington had also worked with a number of the team ten years ago at his previous appointment during his last milestone birthday, thus removing any option of lying about his age (although he had tried)!