FOR two years running The Grange Hotel in Clifton, York, has been a finalist in the Tourism And Hospitality Business Of The Year in The Press Business Awards.

So could this be the year when the 36-bedroom finally wins the category? It got a fine head start last December, when the Grade II listed building was judged to be world class by appearing in The Times Top 100 Hotels in the World.

But there was no resting on laurels. The following month the 50 staff began a rigorous six months training programme, encompassing everything from cost control, budgeting, menu costing, stock control, forcasting, time management and marketing.

The result – management teams which compile revenue targets who are accountable for achieving results.

Owner Jeremy Cassel also identified a gap in the York market for a top-quality steak house.

He invested £50,000 to open The New York Grill in June.

Another initiative was the establishment of the hotel’s first wedding fair in January, an event which fostered five new wedding bookings and 20 new wedding inquiries for the hotel.