Hackney People
Sinclair Beecham
Businessman Sinclair Beecham’s enthusiasm bubbles over as he explains why he chose to open his first hotel in Hoxton.
“It’s vibrant, exciting, constantly changing, leading edge. It’s a buzz of energy, charming, and it has a soul.”
He had no former experience of running a hotel when he opened the Hoxton Hotel in Great Eastern Street. But then he had no experience of running a sandwich chain when he co-founded Pret a Manger – and that became a runaway success. When he and his business partner sold Pret last year, its price-tag was reported to be an impressive £345m.
Hackney had two attractions for Sinclair when he chose the location for his new venture in September 2006 – the hotel would be within easy reach of the City, and it would be in an up-and-coming borough.
Hackney’s restaurants, coffee bars, clubs and pubs, markets and art galleries are unrivalled anywhere else in London.
“When you stay in a hotel, you want to stay somewhere where you feel good about yourself,” he says. “I love the bars and restaurants here and I try to encourage guests to visit them. I publish a guide for them so they don’t just come to our restaurant.”
Sinclair is clearly a real fan and lists among his personal favourites, Canteloupe, Shoreditch House, Loungelover, and The Diner.
The 50-year-old entrepreneur, who started his working life as a cashier at NatWest Bank, says the secret to his success is to think like a customer.
He was inspired to open a hotel after becoming fed up with paying “£3 for a can of Coke from the mini bar or £2.50 for a Kit Kat.” Water in guests’ rooms is free at the Hoxton Hotel and drinks, snacks and alcohol are sold at supermarket prices from the reception desk.
The father-of-two said: “As a customer it really annoys me to be ripped off. I’d like to be treated with respect. Too many people lose sight of the customer.”
And it is that ruthless focus that has brought him success. Recognition came at the highest level when he was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2000 for services to the catering industry.
His entrepreneurial expertise and endless enthusiasm mean he is perfectly placed as a judge for the Mayor of Hackney’s Business Awards. For the second year in a row, Sinclair has offered to judge entries from across the borough.
He acknowledged the economic climate makes it “a very challenging time for businesses,” but encouraged Hackney business people to enter.
“Business is fun,” he said. “Encouraging people to start business creates opportunity, wealth, investment and improvement.
“The awards are designed to look at a whole range of businesses. There’s a category and an opportunity for everybody. If you’ve got a business and you think it’s going well, have a go.”
Curriculum Vitae
- 1958 Born in Cambridgeshire
- 1976 Starts working life as a cashier at NatWest Bank
- 1982 Graduated from Polytechnic of Central London with BSc (Hons) in Urban Estate Management
- 1983 Worked for Crest Estates Ltd as commercial property developer for two years
- 1986 Started sandwich chain Pret a Manger with business partner Julian Metcalfe
- 2000 MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the catering industry
- 2001 Fast-food chain McDonalds buys a 33 per cent stake in Pret a Manger for a reported £50m
- 2003-5 Virgin Active, non-executive director
- 2004-5 Luxury skincare brand Molton Brown, non-executive director. Resigned when company sold to Kao for approx £170m in 2005
- 2006 Opens Hoxton Hotel in Great Eastern Street
- 2008 Sells majority stake in Pret a Manger to Bridgepoint Capital for a reported £345m. Management retains approximately 25 per cent
- 2008-9 Sits on judging panel for Mayor of Hackney’s Business Awards
More information
For details of the hotel, visit: www.hoxtonhotels.com. For details of the Mayor of Hackney’s Business Awards 2009, and to apply, visit the Mayor's Business Awards page. The deadline for entries is 23 February.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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