New Manager Makes a Welcome Return to The Old Palace
News Release
8th July 2013
The Old Palace hotel and conference centre in Lincoln has appointed Martin Clarkson, who previously worked as a maître d’ at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, as Food and Beverage Manager.
The 39-year-old, originally from Newcastle, has over 22 years experience in the hotel and hospitality industry and was self-employed for a number of years working as a maître d’ for a number of famous people including Sir Peter Vardy and Kevin Keegan.
Martin says he provides the same exceptionally high standard of service to all his customers: “Whether I’m looking after the manager of the England football team or a couple who’ve saved up for five years for the wedding of their dreams, I enjoy looking after people and making them feel special.”
As well as including Kate and William’s wedding among his career highlights Martin also opened Maxine’s Bar & Restaurant at Duncan Bannatyne’s hotel in Darlington.
“I was asked if I’d consider managing a team of front of house staff looking after 60 guests at the celebration of Kate and William’s wedding and not surprisingly jumped at the chance to be involved in such a historically significant event.”
Martin first moved to Lincoln in 2009 and worked at The Old Palace for 15 months before leaving to set up a new restaurant in nearby Horncastle.
He came back to The Old Palace in May to take up the position of Food & Beverage Manager following the hotel’s expansion from 16 bedrooms to 32.
In his new role Martin is responsible for managing the front of house staff, delivering staff training and ensuring the smooth running of conferences and events. He’s also in charge of the new restaurant which is open to hotel guests.
Manager of The Old Palace Sonja Brockman said she’s delighted to welcome Martin back to the hotel.
“We have expanded our offering as a hotel and events centre significantly over the past 18 months,” explained Sonja. “The conversion of the former St Michael on the Mount church, which is adjacent to the main building, has doubled the number of bedrooms we have available and we’ve launched a new restaurant which will be open to the public in August.
“Martin has enjoyed an impressive career and is well known in the hotel and hospitality industry for his exacting standards and attention to detail and we’re delighted that our guests can once again experience the extraordinary level of service he and his team provide.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
- The Old Palace was built next to the site of the Lincoln Medieval Bishops’ Palace, which was the administrative centre of the largest diocese in medieval England, in three phases between 1720 and 1885.
- The ruins of the Medieval Bishops’ Palace are separate from The Old Palace itself and are managed by English Heritage on a guardianship lease from the Diocese of Lincoln.
- Once home to the bishops of Lincoln, The Old Palace is now a luxury hotel and conference centre offering 32 beautifully decorated rooms in the main building and the adjacent Old Palace Lodge – a former Victorian church which recently been converted.
- The Old Palace is one of only two Lincolnshire hotels chosen to be included in the 2013 Conde Nast Johansens Recommended Small Hotels, Inns & Restaurants Guide.
- Following the success of a number of pop-up restaurants for Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday the hotel has recently opened a new restaurant offering classic British cuisine every evening from 6.30pm until 9pm. The restaurant, which is currently open to hotel guests only, will open to the general public in August.
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
kate@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @KateStrawson
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