Top team ready to take the Spanish City to new heights
THESE are the two most senior people who will be helping to run the Spanish City leisure hub when it opens this summer.
Hospitality group Kymel has announced Chris Marsh will be general manager and Alan O’Kane executive head chef once the Whitley Bay dome is re-opened.
The venue will have a mixture of restaurants and cafes as well as function and conference facilities.
Chris graduated from Edinburgh Napier with a degree in hospitality management before joining the Marriott graduate trainee programme.
He has held roles on the Royal Yacht Britannia, and at a country club in Connecticut before becoming a manager at the Castle Venlaw Hotel in the Scottish Borders at the age of 24.
His roles have included group general manager of PAG Castle Hotels in Scotland, and general manager at Broadoaks Country House near Windermere and The Grand Hotel, Tynemouth.
He said: “I went to school in Tynemouth and have fond memories of Spanish City in all of its glory, I can’t wait to see it restored and reopened again.”
Meanwhile, Alan is gearing up for his role as executive head chef.
He has earned a range of accolades including three AA Rosettes, a Bib Gourmand and North East Small Hotel of the Year both as executive head chef and proprietor at the Angel in Corbridge.
He also bagged spots in the top five coastal restaurants in The Times and The Observer as head chef and proprietor of Sidney’s of Tynemouth.
He said: “I’ve been given a big task to create and refine menus across all six venues. We want to create distinct atmospheres within each venue and the food and drink offering is a huge part of that.”