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What is your history in the business?
I joined Kro Hospitality in March 2022 to help with the final build programming and I now help by adding an operational and guest-centric focus to an already incredible, original fabric of the building, enhanced by a statement design that really juxtaposes that of the original features of the Grade II listed building.
What are your most notable achievements in the industry?
After graduating in Manchester with a First Class BA (Hons) in Event Management, I completed the Radisson Blu Edwardian graduate scheme and went on to be a senior manager, leading the hotel to be the ‘hotel of the year’, as well as leading marketing campaigns and partnerships, winning HMA reignition and being recognised as HOD of the year.
Opening and closing Hotel Gotham three times over the course of the pandemic challenged all hoteliers to find a careful balance of business protection, team engagement, guest trust and commercial activity. My efforts were recognised by Bespoke Hotels, and I was awarded the Charity Endeavour award 2022.
Like any other hotelier, a proud passion of mine is a loyal team, a following of contacts and guests who all enjoy the hospitality I deliver. I am so excited to welcome them all to the Forty-Seven soon.
What attracted you to the role of general manager at the Forty-Seven?
I have lived and worked in Manchester for 16 years and have seen the city grow. I now relish my opportunity to add my stance on a high-end product offering, breaking away from stuffy ‘brand standards’ to offer a service-led hotel, in arguably one of the best locations in the city.
What do you hope to achieve in your new role?
I hope to lead the team at Forty-Seven to deliver a destination service driven experience, a place to call home to explore the city, and to make ‘Forty-Seven’ memories all with a premium sleep experience. My vision is to allow the team to use their personality and own flare in a creative way to deliver quality throughout the hotel.
How will the Forty-Seven be different from other hotels in Manchester, and from the other properties in Kro Hospitality’s portfolio?
Recognising the location of the Forty-Seven on 47 Peter Street, we have an untold tale of the historic location in Petersfield. With the addition of Asha’s, Forty-Seven will incorporate a taste of Asha’s throughout the hotel’s room service offering, breakfast and all-day dining options at The Peterman.
Our two Manchester city centre properties, Velvet and Forty-Seven, both sit on iconic streets, Canal St and Peter St., and are recognised in the upper scale within their own markets.
This ethos runs from the core of Kro Hospitality, with both hotels having ambitious development plans, including the addition of 18 new bedrooms and suites opening at Velvet this summer, adding a new generation to its successful 25-year history. All bedrooms and suites across the portfolio are individually designed with details that make the difference to every guest.
How will your previous experience working with Amy Brown, sales manager, at Edwardian Hotels help you in your new role?
Amy has a passion for quality, teamed with a naturally warm and open personality, making Amy my perfect sounding board for everything; service, commercial, along with helping us to explore gaps in the market to enhance and offer a unique proposition to our Manchester visitors.
How will this relationship benefit the Forty-Seven?
We have a shared passion when it comes to delivering memorable experiences for guests. Using our skills from working in the hotel operation and various sales capacities, along with years of trust from working together, we are certain this blend of knowledge will enhance the experience for our guests at Forty-Seven.
What can guests expect from the hotel, and what makes the hotel different?
Forty-Seven will be a design-led hotel with a bold interior design scheme that naturally matches the playfulness of the city, with signature hot-touches that mirror the vibrancy of Peter Street, teamed with a design that is injected alongside the original building, thus creating a luxury hotel experience.
Forty-Seven will also play home to the renowned Asha’s restaurant, an award winning Indian culinary destination in its own right – founded by Asha Bhosle, world famous Bollywood singer and actor – turned chef.
How has the hospitality market in Manchester recovered since the pandemic?
Manchester bounced back with huge demand, as seen throughout the city across all hospitality settings. My personal belief is that consumers are more so now looking for quality over quantity. At Forty-Seven, we look forward to exploiting this with our own story and premium experiences.
Where do you expect to see the Forty-Seven in five years’ time?
A high-end hotel experience known for its location to curate ‘Forty-Seven’ memories in Manchester and a place to catch ‘Forty-Seven’ winks. It will be renowned for showcasing authentic Indian dishes at Asha’s Restaurant, signature handcrafted cocktails at The Peterman and providing a luxury sleep experience.
