Oxford is ready to bounce back with its hospitality and tourism businesses predicting a boom in visitor numbers when they reopen. The firms believe there is pent-up demand for travel and are pulling together to give guests the warmest possible welcome when they return to the city. Former concierge at The Randolph Hotel, William Thomson, is heading the mission to revitalise the local economy as rooms and restaurants, museums and attractions prepare to reopen. Mr Thomson, who has launched his own concierge business called Ask William, will use his five-star network of contacts to benefit hospitality businesses across Oxfordshire as they emerge from a difficult year.
AS the sharp-suited, cheerful concierge at the Randolph Hotel, William Thomson spent almost 15 years sharing his knowledge of the best Oxford can offer. Whether it be advice on bars and restaurants, tickets for a West End show or Wimbledon or help getting a last minute birthday cake, Mr Thomson was the man in the know. Unfortunately, he was among 78 staff who lost their jobs at the Beaumont Street hotel last year after Chicago-based Graduate Hotels bought the five-star venue from Macdonald. Not wanting his in-depth knowledge to go to waste, however, he has gone it alone, setting up his own private concierge service called, of course, Ask William. And after a few quiet months during the national lockdowns, business is now rolling in with clients tapping into his local knowledge and all important ‘little black book’ of contacts.
Jonnie Garstka
Columnist
I’m pretty sure the only reason our parents gave us middle names was to let us know when we were in trouble. A call upstairs to “Jonnie,” would be met with the cheerful response, “Coming Mom.”
A call upstairs to “Joan Mary,” would be met with frantic whispers to the nearest sibling,
“Did you tell Mom I broke the (fill in the blank here). . .?” Or, in the same breath, the hissed, question, “Does she sound mad?”
If Mike heard the name “John Michael,” wafting up to the second floor, he would run down the back stairs and out the side door.