Doing a career pivot brings its own share of learnings and obstacles. After two decades in the British Army, how does Paul Bayliss MBE apply the skills he learned to his current role as general manager of Hotel Brooklyn in Manchester? “To be honest, there isn’t much difference as it’s about organisation, planning, and communication with stakeholders,” says Bayliss, who was recently named Businessman of the Year at the Greater Manchester Business Awards.
“I was in logistics and obviously there were constant short-term timelines, so with food, accommodation, transport, stores management, and looking after a big team, it came quite naturally to me. I did have to learn to ‘ask, not tell’, which, in a military environment, with little time for the necessary pleasantries, is the usual style of communication, whereas in civilian street with staff who maybe see things differently, it was important to develop myself that way.”
Hotel Brooklyn, an LLM Readers’ Travel Awards finalist for Best City Hotel, is a cosmopolitan gem just a short walk away from the Manchester Art Gallery. The hotel had to close one month after it first opened due to the pandemic, but this didn’t stop the team from breaking through boundaries.
Hotel Brooklyn recently picked up the Catey Accessibility Design Award for its work in creating an inclusive guest experience that includes 18 bespoke rooms that are either wheelchair- or ambulant-accessible with hidden ceiling track hoists, and basins with hand grips.
LLM writer Ina Yulo Stuve chats with Bayliss about his favourite Mancunian haunts and how the team is bringing a taste of the Big Apple to the North.
How have you been able to merge the cultures of Brooklyn and Manchester within the hotel?
I believe we have done this through our offers, some of our uniforms, and style of delivery. However, we found that guests want to dip into a New York vibe, so we try and knit it all together depending on what our guests are looking for, including all things Cottonopolis.
If you could describe the hotel in three words, what would they be?
Home, welcoming, friendly.
What is your favourite thing about Manchester?
Its multi-cultural community and its willingness to continue to grow as a world-class city.
The hotel has been a stalwart in accessibility design and ensuring guests with disabilities have a comfortable stay. Why was this so important to you?
Because it allows us to welcome everyone to our hotel and for the team to be confident they are able to look after their needs, be they physical or mental. It’s such a great design and it really helps us. When you factor in genuinely welcoming and helpful staff, you have a compelling offer for all guest types.
If you were to create a whole-day itinerary for guests wanting to explore Manchester, where would you send them?
Easy! I’d organise a tour of the buildings in the morning, because not many people realise the rich history of Manchester is all about the Industrial Revolution. In the afternoon, it would be a tour of the fantastic galleries and libraries. In the evening, it would be a show or a concert in any of the great theatres or events locations, and if they’re not too tired, finish it off with a night cap at Hotel Brooklyn.
What is your favourite dish on the current menu at Runyon’s Bar and Restaurant?
Well we’ve just put in place a series of new menus including a small plates offering designed to allow guests to enjoy our DJ in Runyon’s Bar whilst they sip on cool cocktails. Our sharing platters of prime steaks, vegan sharer dishes, and a succulent spatchcock chicken tray are probably the most popular go-to dishes that guests really enjoy.
The city is the birthplace of some of Britain’s most famous musical acts. Do you have a favourite Mancunian band?
Of course I do, my formative years were when The Smiths were at their peak. We’ve even done a wedding with a massive Smiths theme which, as someone who loves their music, was great fun.
If you weren’t working in hospitality, what would you be doing?
Easy. Albeit it’s still hospitality, but I’d be making celebration cakes and sugar crafts, creating anything customers are looking for. I’m a chef by trade and I was taught the art of cake decoration as a young chef at The Army School of Catering and it’s something I really enjoy doing alongside developing people in their careers. If not, I’d settle for being centre forward for Everton, another of my passions.
What are your favourite cities for: food, culture, history?
London for food as the standard is high but so diverse and innovative, I enjoy the classics and very traditional service and those kinds of hotels are in London aplenty. For culture, it’s New York. I get there as often as I can as the scale and speed of change is so interesting. I’m well travelled and within my military career I suppose I’ve witnessed history in the making many times, but if it’s a place where there’s time to take in the recent past and pay respects to it then the battlefield tours in Northern France are absolutely essential places to visit.
Factbox
Hotel Brooklyn
Address: 59 Portland St, Manchester M1 3HP
Phone: 0161 518 2936
Website: hotelbrooklyn.co.uk
Instagram: instagram.com/hotelbklyn
