The Milner York has been welcomed into Venues of Excellence (VOE), the UK’s leading consortium for independent conference and event venues…
The accreditation recognises venues operating at a consistently high standard across facilities, service delivery, and customer experience. All members are required to meet stringent, independently audited criteria. The achievement positions The Milner York among a select group of high-performing venues within the UK meetings and events sector.
The Milner York offers impressive scale for events in York
One of the largest event venues in York, The Milner boasts a purpose-built Events Centre, a 285 sqm space capable of hosting up to 410 delegates theatre-style. The facility includes a dedicated entrance, private reception area, breakout spaces and an outdoor terrace, alongside modern audiovisual technology supported by an in-house technician suite.
In addition to the Events Centre, the hotel offers 11 flexible meeting rooms, combining period features with natural daylight and adaptable layouts. Located adjacent to York Railway Station and supported by 90 on-site parking spaces, the venue is designed to accommodate a wide range of corporate and social events.
The Milner York welcomes more than 75,000 guests annually and hosts over 1,300 events each year. The business has recorded a 10% year-on-year revenue increase, alongside 27% growth in wedding bookings.
Recent rebrand and renovations has boosted revenue and performance
Performance was bolstered further, following a £2 million rebrand in October 2024. Average Daily Rate (ADR) has increased by £15, peaking at over £25, with no negative impact on occupancy. Rooms revenue has exceeded forecast consistently, including one month finishing £53,000 ahead of budget. Food and beverage revenue has also increased, with a 14.8% uplift recorded in a single month.
Operational improvements have also been delivered through a staff ‘re-culturing’ programme, which has increased retention from 57% to 80%. Guest satisfaction scores currently stand at 85% overall, with service rated at 90%.
Further investment is underway, with the addition of 41 bedrooms and three meeting rooms. This will increase total capacity to 196 bedrooms and 14 meeting spaces, enabling the hotel to accommodate larger-scale events.
Andy Barnsdale, General Manager at The Milner York, said: “We are proud to welcome guests through our doors and deliver events tailored to their individual requirements. This recognition from Venues of Excellence reflects the strength of our offer and the ongoing investment in our people and facilities, and provides a valuable platform to further grow our presence in the national events market.”
Mandy Jennings, CEO, Venues of Excellence, said: “Venues of Excellence is delighted to welcome The Milner Hotel, York to our distinguished portfolio. The hotel represents exactly the calibre of venue we seek, combining elegant facilities with a clear commitment to exceptional customer experiences. Offering historic charm alongside flexible, high-quality meeting and event spaces, it is a compelling choice for organisers seeking something truly distinctive.
This addition reflects our ongoing focus on curating a diverse, high-performing collection of venues that meet the evolving needs of today’s meetings and events industry. Our approach is not about volume, but about bringing together outstanding venues that strengthen the overall proposition for our clients.”
Venues of Excellence represents a network of independent venues focused on delivering high-quality conference and event experiences. Membership provides access to business development support, industry collaboration and increased UK-wide visibility.
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