PA Life talks to Andy Barnsdale, General Manager, The Milner York about his lifelong love of the hospitality industry and what the recent renaming of his hotel from The Principal York means for business…
“I have been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, starting behind the bar at a hotel on the Isle of Wight. What was intended to be a summer job turned into a lifelong passion moving across multiple roles in hospitality. Since starting on the management track, I have had the privilege of managing notable properties including Nidd Hall, Doubletree by Hilton Majestic Harrogate and Thoresby Hall, before joining The Milner York (or then The Principal York) as General Manager in 2023. This has been a real career highlight, allowing me to lead a fantastic team of 200 people and oversee the rebranding of this iconic Grade II listed hotel.”
How much does the recent renaming of The Milner York impact on the wayย hotel is run?
Our rebrand to The Milner York has been an incredible journey for us as a team. It has been so much more than a name change, giving us the opportunity to honour the hotelโs connection to Yorkโs railway heritage and paying tribute to those who have contributed to the cityโs rich history, all while continuing to bring the hotel and its amenities into the future.
The name itself was inspired by William Milner, a York Station foreman during World War II who lost his life after entering a blazing York station building to obtain a box of medical supplies to treat air raid casualties. The rebrand presented us with a unique opportunity to review both our service and product offering, driving service enhancements and investing in our physical product.
We have been through a process of โreculturingโ, which has involved bringing our 200 team members on a journey to becoming Yorkโs Best Loved Hotel, implementing new brand values and creating memorable moments for all guests.
What updates and refurbishments were undertaken with the change to The Milner York?
As well as our new signage proudly displaying our new name, we have introduced brand-new uniforms and have integrated our new brand and design across all collateral in the hotel with additional welcome items in each bedroom.
On a larger scale, weโve invested over ยฃ2 million into property enhancements including the installation of climate control air conditioning across our 155 bedrooms and suites, making stays more comfortable year-round for our guests.ย Weโve also reimagined our dining outlets with refreshed menus celebrating local York produce, and names that reflect our heritage and links with the York railway. Peacheyโs Bar & Grill is named after William Peachey of the North Eastern Railway who originally designed the hotel, while The Swollen Gambler is inspired by railway pioneer George Hudson, who is well known across York to have lived an opulent life, but also put the York railway on the map as a major UK destination. Both dining outlets also have a new look and feel including artwork on the walls – small details which have made a powerful difference in the guest experience.
Are you making changes to your corporate offerings?
The corporate experience has been enhanced for delegates visiting The Milner York, and all aspects of business travel. This includes:
- Pre-arrival information, with the team sending personalised emails detailing their stay and amenities at the hotel.
- Welcome packs which include a Milner mug, teabag, chocolate, branded notepad, and branded pen
- Breakfast-to-go for guests with early departures.
- Exclusive perks including complimentary upgrades and late check-outs in line with availability
Our meetings and events packages are currently under review, and weโre excited to launch โThe Milner York Meetingsโ in 2025.
What else besides extensive conference and event spaces do you offer to corporate clients?
The hotel collaborates with many local businesses to offer additional experiences both on site and within the city so guests can immerse themselves in Yorkโs rich history. Our team has organised:
- Culinary experiences, including cookery demonstrations, private dining or wine-tasting events
- Team building on The Milner York lawns
- Treasure hunts around Yorkโs historic landmarks
- Interactive workshops such as cocktail making or art classes
- Guided tours of York Minster, the Shambles, and other key attractions.
- Ghost walks and historical storytelling events
Why should a PA or EA choose The Milner York for their event or book their execs to stay with you?
Our location couldnโt be more convenientโ just steps away from York railway station, which means weโre incredibly accessible for delegates travelling from across the UK. We have 155 bedrooms and suites packed full of character and relaxing charm, well-suited to business travellers looking for something extra from their stay, which makes the hotel a great base for residential conferences.
Our dedicated Event Centre is standout and one of the largest event spaces in the north-east, accommodating up to 400 delegates, with a private entrance that makes it suitable for anything from conferences to gala banquets and events. We also have some great spaces for smaller gatherings and meetings, as well as private dining, including the grand Oak Room with original wood panelling and chandeliers, and the more traditional Wedgewood, which has views across to The Minster. There truly is a space for every event at the hotel.
Who are your typical corporate clients, and do they come from all corners of the UK?
The hotel works with a number of partners, ranging from local businesses through to globally recognised brands that travel to us from across the UK. Being just steps away from York railway station makes us both well-known and popular with delegates travelling delegates, weโre very easy to find and arenโt far to travel with suitcases. We find that The Garden Room is also well used by business travellers waiting for their trains home โ itโs a comfortable, calming spot to work and have some small bites before catching their onward trains.
Our Events Centre is a draw for the immediate local and regional companies due to its capacity and our ability to deliver such a wide range of events in the space โ sometimes in the same day. No two days are the same in our meetings and events spaces!
How much help can your events team offer PAs and EAs who are organising an event with you?
Our hotel has a dedicated Events Team and Events Operations Team with six full-time professionals who each show a high level of commitment to delivering top-notch service from the first enquiry through to successful event delivery. In the past year they have delivered over 1,400 meetings and events, with over 575 of these being held in the Events Centre. ย A traditional, warm Yorkshire welcome is at the core of every single event, and we pride ourselves on attention to detail and ensuring every event is a bespoke affair.
Any special events or offers to mention?
The Milner York Wedding Showcase is being held on Saturday 11 January, giving couples a chance to visit the hotel and leading Yorkshire wedding suppliers.
Can you share a successful event youโve hosted and the event team is proud of
In 2024 The Milner York hosted a highly successful week-long event for a prestigious university which really highlighted our ability to handle large-scale, exclusive-use events with precision and care.
The university booked all 155 of our bedrooms for their attendees, and we also accommodated 200 delegates daily throughout the week across our 11 versatile meeting rooms. Each meeting room was configured to meet the diverse needs of their agenda, including workshops, plenary sessions, and breakout activities. It was a team effort across the hotel with our events team members working closely with the university to deliver a tailored experience with a detailed pre-event consultation to align on logistics, schedules and specific requirements, and then delivering relaxation areas in the hotel throughout the day to enhance the delegate experience, with pre-organised day and evening activities including private dining and guided tours of York.
In addition, our talented chef team created custom menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with plenty of options catering to dietary preferences and requirements.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with specific praise for our teamโs professionalism, the quality of our facilities, and the smooth execution of such a large-scale event. This event has rebooked for 2025.
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