Interview: Hotel GM Andrew Krawec, Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel
6 January 2025
Interview: Hotel GM Andrew Krawec, Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel
With a career spanning almost 25 years in Manchester’s hospitality scene, Hotel GM Andrew Krawec reflects on how the industry has evolved and shares his top management tips that helped transform the historic Mercure Manchester Piccadilly hotel in the past few years.
When you first meet Andrew Krawec, two things immediately stand out: his passion for people and his love for Manchester. This energy has undoubtedly been instrumental in the recent transformation of the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly, which overlooks the iconic Piccadilly Gardens in the city’s heart. When Andrew came on board, the hotel was tired and unloved. Now the hotel is reaping the rewards of a £3million renovation project, which included the modernisation of 280 bedrooms, a reception area, and prime event spaces.
Andrew also restructured the leadership team and trained 50 recruits from the local area. As a result, event bookings have risen 55% since last year and the business has won a string of prestigious awards, including Best Contemporary Hotel in North West England at the UK Enterprise Awards 2024; a Conference & Events Award in the Best Venue Customer Service category; and multiple Aimbridge accolades for performance growth and business success. Here Andrew shares his expert insights:
You’ve helped launch an array of hotels in Manchester during your career, and turned many around, what’s your secret?
You’ve got to keep looking to the future, and where you want the business to be. Every time I start a new position, I keep a notebook for the first month of my observations of the business. Then once a year, I take that notebook out and reflect on where we were, and how far we’ve come. You need the right team to embark on that transition of change. Never stop pushing forward and looking at that journey.
How do you ensure you’ve got the right team?
It’s very much about legacy. I ask my team, what legacy will you leave behind here? For some team members, it’s about delivering the most amazing guest service and being as friendly as possible to all our guests. For others, it could be about evolving the business and the actual property itself, leaving it a stronger, better-managed business than it was before. Bespoke training and regular rewards and recognition are also important.
How have you seen the hospitality industry change in Manchester over the last 25 years?
Twenty years ago, hotels weren’t the go-to spot for a casual coffee; they were traditional spaces with formal atmospheres. Today, hotels have adapted to fit into our everyday lives, becoming places we can visit any day of the week. They now offer everything from shared workspaces and gym memberships to retail and dining options, focusing on maximising appeal to a range of target markets.
How is your meetings and events business changing, and what is the key to driving this type of business?
Meetings and events are all about the experience and making it memorable. This means ensuring we have touch points in place for our team to engage with guests and delegates in a personalised and purposeful way. Conferences have become more informal. Breakouts need to provide delegates with a chance to switch off and reset. This is why we are planning to create a Wellness Room and have just launched the Garden View Room, which has a garden-inspired feature wall, floor-to-ceiling windows, and plenty of daylight. Hotels need to ensure their venues are accessible and inclusive and provide a great experience that suits everyone.
