L OC AL P EOPLE
James Bowie, Barnsdale Lodge’s new General Manager
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OSITIONED on the North shore of the spectacular Rutland Water, Barnsdale Lodge has become somewhat of an institution. Originally a farmhouse and owned by Thomas Noel’s family since 1760, Thomas converted it to a hotel in 1989 and, since then, we’ve seen it earn numerous accolades including being in the Sunday Telegraph’s ’50 of Britain’s cosiest hotels’ and runner up in the Telegraph’s ‘20 Top Places for a Warm Welcome’. Rachael Bull caught up with the new General Manager, James Bowie, about the hotel and their plans for the future.
You joined Barnsdale in July – what were you up to before then?
‘Yes I started officially on 4th July. Before then I’d been Deputy General Manager at Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa in Northamptonshire, so not a million miles from here.
So you’ve been in the hotel industry for some time then?
You could say that! My first home was The Belmont Hotel in Leicester. My great-grandmother bought it in 1934, then my grandparents ran it and now it’s my father’s. So the industry has been in our blood for generations – I worked at The Belmont for eight years and, apart from a couple of forays into other things, I’ve been in hospitality my whole career.
What attracted you to Barnsdale Lodge?
There are a few different things. It’s my first General Manager role, which is really exciting. And when I first met Ed, his vision for the Rutland Retreats project and the hotel generally was really impressive. He already has a fantastic legacy for quality food and service offer and has a real, renewed focus of what to do with the Lodge. And the beautiful location helps – it can’t be beaten.
What have you got coming up at Barnsdale Lodge in the near future?
I’m excited about the plans we have for refurbishment – in the main hotel we’re completely redoing all the bedrooms and have some big changes with our banqueting offer. We’re also doing a lot of work with the whole team to improve the service and make everything spot on for our guests, from start to finish – lots of team training and such like. I’m a real believer in having engaged people on the team. If people feel engaged and valued, that’s reflected in how they welcome the guests.
What has impressed you the most since arriving?
There’s so much, but the team has really impressed me. It’s a very welcoming, friendly and professional group of people we’ve got at Barnsdale Lodge – I felt that personally when I started and I see it in the way our guests are welcomed. It’s great to see.
summer and seeing people relaxing out there, enjoying a drink and basking in the sunshine was great. Another favourite part of it for me is our guests – they’re a really nice mix of people and I’m enjoying getting to know them.
What do you love most about your job?
Have you and your family been able to enjoy the area?
It’s got to be the variety – every day is different and I never know what I’m going to turn up to when I arrive each morning. I also enjoy meeting such an interesting variety of people, both those who I work with and guests too. It certainly keeps the brain ticking over.
What do you like most about the hotel itself?
It’s got a really warm and homely feel to it. Ed treats it like a big family home rather than anything corporate or stuffy. Guests feel like it’s home away from home. The pet-friendly aspect is a surprisingly important one – people like that. My favourite part of the hotel is the courtyard. We had such a lovely
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Yes, very much so. We’ve been on bike rides around the lake and my seven-year-old managed to get round the full circuit, bless her. She did very well. I’m a big fan of Oakham and its lovely mix of independent shops and the kids love Oakham Castle – especially the dressing up. We also really like farm shops – Farndon Fields in Market Harborough is a firm favourite in our family. • Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AH. Tel: 01572 724678 www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk
RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING NOVEMBER 2016
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