Ushering in a new era, The Principal York hotel is set to become The Milner York, signifying a comprehensive reimagination of the hotel’s brand and positioning for staff and guests.
Originally built in 1878 as the Royal Station Hotel, this rebrand comes as a result of RBH Management taking over the management contract of the hotel from IHG in October 2022. As part of this, the name and brand of the hotel had to be changed due to the ownership of The Principal name, leading to a review of all aspects of the 155-bedroom hotel’s offering and approach, from the signage at its historic entrance, through to staff training and the guest welcome experience, and internal culture.
Inspiration for the new name, The Milner York, draws deeply from York’s railway history. The hotel’s namesake, William Milner, was the York Station foreman during World War II. As a keen member of the LNER first aid moment he entered a blazing station building in an attempt to obtain a box of medical supplies to treat air raid casualties, posthumously gaining the King’s commendation for gallantry.
To further reflect the rich tapestry of York’s railway heritage, the hotel’s Food & Beverage outlets will also be rebranded. The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace will become Peachey’s Bar & Grill, named after architect William Peachey of the North Eastern Railway who originally designed the hotel. The Swollen Gambler will replace The Chapter House, taking its moniker from railway pioneer George Hudson who was known to live an opulent life, and put York on the map as a major railway destination in the 1800s.
The hotel is spending over £2million in property enhancement as part of the new brand proposition, including capital investment and internal refurbishment, with over £1.6 million of that total invested into implementing climate control air conditioning in the hotel’s 155 bedrooms and suites.
Andy Barnsdale, General Manager of the hotel, says: “It is an honour to be a part of the next chapter of this iconic hotel’s history. This process has been a rare and wonderful opportunity to reflect on how this much-loved hotel is woven into the fabric of York and reimagine how we can present this to staff and guests. The new name symbolises bravery, valour, and a sense of belonging, paying tribute to those who have contributed to York’s rich history.”
The hotel is currently going through the planning process to change the name and branding to The Milner York and will be introducing the new positioning once this process has been completed. A phased approach will then commence.
