New manager checks in at top Yorkshire hotel
A LANDMARK Yorkshire hotel which is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year has appointed a new manager.
Wayne Topley joins the 150-strong team at the four-star deluxe Royal York Hotel and Events Centre at an exciting time for both the hotel and York as a whole.
After recently completing a major £7.5m investment programme – the biggest in its history – the hotel is now finalising ambitious plans for further development and modernisation.
It is owned by the Harrogate-based Principal Hayley Group has 17 properties including The Met in Leeds, The George in Edinburgh, The Palace in Manchester, The St David's Hotel & Spa in Cardiff and The Russell in London.
This investment comes as York's attraction as a business and leisure destination is poised to enter a new era with the launch of 'Visit York' – a new organisation designed to bring together all of the key bodies within York that currently focus on the city's hospitality industry.
For 34-year-old Mr Topley, who lives with his young family in Harrogate, it will be the fourth hotel in Yorkshire he has managed – he has previously been responsible for the Marriott Hotel in York; the Hollins Hall near Bradford; and Oulton Hall, near Leeds.
He said: “The Royal York is steeped in history and has been a major venue in Yorkshire, and at the heart of the York community, for more than a century. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to continue with that tradition and to work with the team here to build on the hotel's current strong reputation.
“Running a hotel with so much character like the Royal York is a tremendous honour. You feel a real sense of responsibility on your shoulders to ensure the history of the building is protected as well as develop the business further.
“York is an exciting 'destination city' in terms of business and attracts a wide audience – therefore our service and the products on offer have to be tailored to all needs.”
He added: “We have a superb opportunity to grow the business in terms of the ever-changing markets we are now attracting. The £7.5m investment that has benefited the hotel and our clients over the last three years has made a significant difference.
“Our challenge now is to grow the business even further, with continued investment and development.”
Tony Troy, chief executive of Principal Hayley Hotels and Conference Venues commented: “We are delighted to have Wayne on board and feel that his experience, professionalism and passion for our business will be a tremendous asset to the team at the Royal York Hotel and to the Principal Hayley Group overall.”
Mr Topley began his career with the Whitbread/Marriott graduate programme in 1996 after obtaining a BA Hons in hotel management at Nottingham Trent University, where he won the Pannell Kerr Foster award for best overall achievement.
Recognition for his hard work in a number of hotel management roles came in 2002 when, at 29, he was awarded an industry Acorn Award for achievement within the hospitality industry under the age of 30.
