The Grand's Robert Richardson to join Cave Hotels

Robert Richardson is stepping down as general manager of the Grand hotel in Folkestone, Kent, to take up the same role at the Cave Hotel and Golf Club in Canterbury.

Richardson will leave the Grand next month, with a replacement being sought for the role.

The Cave, a 41-bedroom luxury hotel that opened late last year, is owned by James Tory and Johnathan Callister. There are also plans for expanding the brand. The property is temporarily closed due to coronavirus and operating a drive-through food offering, and it hopes to reopen in July, government guidance permitting.

Richardson joined the Grand 10 years ago from the Hilton Hotel Dartford Bridge, where he was deputy hotel manager. Previous roles also included food and beverage manager at the Holiday Inn Rochester – Chatham hotel, and conference and banqueting manager at Eastwell Manor in Ashford.

Richardson said: "In more than a century since the Grand first opened its doors it has welcomed some incredible general managers; I could never be more proud of the fact that I was permitted to join such an exclusive club, and I will never forget when the general manager of the Grand was me.

"I have always referred to the team at the Grand as a family, as that's what we became. Whomever leads the business into the brave new, post Covid-19 world is going to have an incredible privilege in working with such an amazing group of people, in one of the most amazing businesses and locations in the world."

Callister said: "We are pleased to welcome Robert Richardson, as general manager to the Cave hotel, as we move, post coronavirus, into the next exciting chapter of our unique hotel at Boughton, Kent

"With Robert's experienced guidance, the team will be coached to deliver an unrivalled customer experience. We are fully poised, prepared and ready to welcome new and returning visitors, to be enchanted by the luxury and indulgence of the hotel and it's food."