THE general manager of York’s first five star hotel has left, fewer than four months after it opened its doors.

Andrew Coney, who was the general manager of the Cedar Court Grand in Station Rise, departed last month.

A spokesman for Cedar Court Hotels said that said he had been appointed for a period of one year to manage the redevelopment of the former railway headquarters into a luxury hotel, establish the operation and manage the hotel opening in May.

“He has now completed this year-long commitment and has successfully achieved all of these objectives,” he said.

“The company now intends to recruit a locally-based candidate who will focus on integrating the hotel with York’s other tourism facilities and organisations, and on embedding the company within the city’s business community.”

Until the new appointment is made, John Horvath, Cedar Court Group Hotel Director, will be providing the day-to-day management of the hotel.

Mr Horvath said Mr Coney had done an ‘amazing job’ over the past year in realising the company’s aspirations for creating a landmark hotel.

“Thanks to his efforts, The Grand is already enjoying good levels of occupancy and achieving the targets we’ve set. Having completed his initial brief, Andrew has chosen not to re-locate to York to continue his role.”