Holiday Inn Blackpool appoints general manager

Holiday Inn Blackpool has appointed Mark Winter as general manager ahead of its scheduled opening in Autumn 2023.

Mark has previously managed the opening of two Holiday Inn Express hotels, as well as managing another Holiday Inn property.

Joining the RBH hotel portfolio in 2015, he became the company’s youngest-ever general manager at 25 years old and this will be his fourth managerial position within the business.

One of Mark's first responsibilities will be to recruit around 70 team members over the coming months.

He said: "This is an exciting time to be joining the campaign for Blackpool’s regeneration, to help both business and tourism in the area thrive.

"The operational strategy prior to the hotel’s opening is crucial for a successful launch and we’ll therefore be running a dedicated recruitment campaign in the new year to find the right team of talented and passionate hospitality professionals.”

The 144-bedroom hotel is council-owned and will be managed by RBH Hospitality Management. It is seen as a key part of the Talbot Gateway regeneration project and will also feature a Marco’s New York Italian restaurant.

David Hart, RBH’s CEO said: “The management of this new property is key in our growth strategy to expand into more city locations, and Mark’s roles over the past few years set him in great stead to lead this hotel.

"With so much experience not just in understanding RBH’s values and approach to business, but specifically with the Holiday Inn brand, Mark’s ability to educate will be hugely beneficial in training a new team to deliver the right service and experience for guests.”