Students’ 2-day takeover of Holiday Inn hotel

Eighty hospitality and catering students from City College Norwich rose to the challenge of running a busy hotel this week, covering all of the roles, including General Manager, as part of the annual “hotel takeover” of the Holiday Inn Norwich-North.

Over Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st February, the students performed all of the key roles and responsibilities associated with running one of Norwich’s largest 4 star hotels, from reception duties to housekeeping, bar management, and food preparation and service. 

Students also shadowed the hotel’s management team, including General Manager Devin Grosse, to gain an insight into what it is like to manage and supervise all of the hotel’s operations. 

Hospitality student Emma Seaman, 17, who shadowed General Manager, Devin Grosse, said: "Coming in and seeing the operation of a busy hotel is very beneficial as you get to gain an insight into the industry and get to see all the different roles that are going on behind the scenes. The experience from today has really shown me what a career in the hospitality industry has to hold and I am looking forward to seeing what the future brings."

Hotel Reception Programme student, Sarah Rope, 16, said: “Today has been a fun and different experience that has really opened my eyes to all of the different things that working on a hotel reception desk involves. This has definitely given me the opportunity to gain the vital work experience that my future employers will look for.”

Devin Grosse, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Norwich North, said: “It’s great. I’ve been chatting with a couple of the students and it’s so useful to them to see everything they have learned in theory being put into practice.  That’s why the link between City College and us is so useful. It gives them a good insight into the industry but also lets them see all the different roles available.”

The hotel takeover culminated in a charity dinner and auction in the Lancaster Suite on Wednesday evening, when students catered for over 150 guests.  The dinner was held to raise money for Hospitality Action and the College’s Student New Opportunities Fund.  Over £1,700 was raised from the auction alone.

The event was also use to highlight careers in hospitality, with staff from the hotel and from the College offering visitors information and advice on the careers available and the training required to get into this stimulating, rewarding customer-focused industry.

Steve Thorpe, Head of the Hotel, Hair and Beauty School at City College Norwich, said:  “The Hotel School at City College Norwich enjoys very strong links with employers and it is a testimony to the strength of this relationship that the management of the Holiday Inn Norwich-North are willing to hand over their hotel to our students to run for two days.  As well as giving invaluable work experience to our students, we want to use the event to highlight the many exciting career opportunities available within hospitality and catering, and also to raise money for two really worthwhile causes.” 

Pictures by National Diploma photography students Agata Klosowska and Michelle Parnell.