Member Article

Indigo manager’s ambition to play developing role in Newcastle city centre

The new manager of Newcastle’s Hotel Indigo says he is keen to work with neighbouring businesses to make sure the hotel’s corner of Newcastle continues to get better and better.

Paul Borg, who returned to the region after managing hotels in the North West, says progress is about building InterContinental Hotel Group’s boutique concept into the city and local business community.

Since opening its doors on Fenkle Street in the summer of 2012 the Hotel Indigo and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse has already seen investment next door at the Assembly Rooms, and has provided an anchor for the corner, just off Westgate Road.

Speaking to Bdaily just weeks into the job, Paul, who is originally from Stockton, said: “I was really attracted to come to Newcastle. It’s a fantastic city that’s on the up and there’s a definite trendiness to the place now.

“There’s been some really interesting investments in the leisure and hospitality sector, and this is a great opportunity for me to make sure Indigo is part of that.

“We’ll do that by working with other businesses in the city, including other hotels, to make sure we provide for events, support our neighbours and ultimately give visitors a great impression of the city.”

Paul, who has brought over 15 years experience in the hotel trade, from across the country, suggests that Hotel Indigo is well placed to take advantage of changing consumer spending habits.

He said: “People don’t mind paying for a quality product now. It’s completely changed from the time when people would go for two-for-one pub meals and cheap lager.

“We’ve noticed that, not just with the Marco Pierre White brand, but also the hotel. We’re a quality hotel, and typically attract business travellers and young couples. However, we’ve just started to see a few more groups who want to pay for a quality experience.

“For instance, groups of lads in their 30s or 40s, perhaps on a stag do, or at a local concert, who still want the reassurance they’ll get comfort and a good night’s sleep when they get back at 2am.”

As well as the hotel offering, Indigo has managed to tempt drinkers and eaters down Fenkle Street for recurring events such as “Fizzy Friday” which offers champagne at £20 per bottle.

It’s just one of a number of ideas employed by Paul and his team to turn the venue into a destination in its own right for people out on the town.

Paul is really proud of his team at Indigo and believes they are the best in the business to tackle the challenge of running the hotel, bar and restaurant concurrently.

He said: “We’ve got some really great people at Indigo who run everything expertly for me. I think the brand has attracted a great calibre and part of my job is making sure we develop our staff.

“The hotel has established a really top level of service and building on that is really important for us now. The team need to evolve so that we can keep the product fresh and exciting for customers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .