One of Wiltshire’s top hotels has a new general manager at the helm and he is already preparing for the busy wedding season ahead.
Derek McNeill has been appointed general manager at the Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel in Harnham Road, Salisbury, having spent three years in management roles at the Botleigh Grange Hotel in Southampton and most recently the Legacy White Hart Hotel in Lewes.
Derek’s CV also includes being deputy general manager at the Merton Hotel in Jersey for five years before leaving the island to open a brand new Holiday Inn Express in Folkestone.
The 48-year-old, who lives in Locks Heath in Hampshire, said he is keen to become a familiar face in the Wiltshire business community and to put the four-star hotel on the map.
“The hotel really is set in a stunning location and I’ll be doing all I can to open it up to the local community,” he said.
“The gardens we have overlooking the River Avon are fantastic particularly as a backdrop for wedding photos and the Oak Bar, Avon Bar and restaurant are also key features we are keen to promote.
“This is a busy time of the year and in preparation for the weddings we are hosting every weekend, we have spruced up certain parts of the building to make sure we are looking our best.
“Although lots of people in the area know the hotel is here, many people may not have been inside and seen what we have to offer, particularly our corporate offering, and I’ll be working hard to invite people in to take a look around.
“Salisbury is a beautiful city which I know extremely well and I’m looking to getting to know the place even better and meeting new people.”
Derek is leading a team of around 35 staff at the 29-bedroom hotel, which has many features retained from the 13th century.
Kevin Skeet, operations director of Legacy Hotels and Resorts, said: “We are delighted Derek has agreed to lead the team at the Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel.
“Our bookings for weddings and social banqueting remain strong and Derek is keen to maintain momentum in this important area of the business.
“He has tremendous experience and a huge appetite to build relationships with people across the area and is a perfect fit for the hotel.”