We find out what the day-to-day looks like for Paul Newman, General Manager at Welsh event venue Château Rhianfa.
Hi Paul! Tell us about how you landed the role?
I was here as a Deputy Manager back in 2014, and then my son was born, so my wife and I moved away to be close to family. But over the last 10 years we always spoke with fondness of Château Rhianfa and Anglesey and this part of the world. I was working as a General Manager when I got a phone call saying that a job had come up in Wales. I hadn’t been able to find a job that could match my expectations, but I was told: “No, you’re going to want to see this one.” And it was Château Rhianfa! I applied and I was lucky enough to get the position. It almost seems that it was meant to be.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
There is no such thing in hospitality! I think that’s one of the major attractions of the industry. You have so many different people coming through the door. A typical day for me starts at around 7.30/8am with a walk around the grounds and the building, and to get ahead of a couple of things. I’ll check the appearance of the building, making notes as I go along, and from 8am to 9am make sure everything is ready for breakfast and the day’s events. Check-out for us is at 11am, so I like to be around reception to talk to our guests, get any feedback and so forth. Through the day there’s always back of house stuff that you need to do to pay the bills, so to speak. Afternoons are busy with check-in is from 2pm to 3pm, and we are a popular venue for afternoon teas. I usually finish for the day at around 6pm.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Meeting new people and developing the team. When I come into a new role, I very much believe in the old tagline: “People, Product, Profit”. The first job is to get the right people, discuss the product you’re going to offer, and then the profit takes care of itself.
What kind of event spaces does the venue have?
Château Rhianfa was built in the 1840s. The original name was Plas Rhianfa, which means Lady’s House. In the house, they built a giant banquet hall where they used to host parties. With the views of the Menai Strait in Snowdonia, we believe it to be a very inspiring space. We have eight fabulous meeting spaces, 27 elegant Victorian inspired rooms and suites, and our location means we can offer incredible outdoor activities.
What is it that makes Château Rhianfa so special?
It’s a French-inspired château. You’d never be able to build a house like this nowadays, into the banks of the Menai Strait, it wouldn’t be allowed to happen. Sir John Hay-Williams built it for his wife because they used to go on holiday in the Loire Valley and she used to sketch the châteaux. So, he built this place – somehow in secret – for her and his daughters, so they had somewhere to be looked after once he passed. It’s the history that makes it special, as well as the location.