Hotel boss keeping it in the family

Having a member of the family as the public face of their two hotels gives the properties personality, he tells me, and the prospect of building up a chain holds no appeal to the man who recalls driving a tractor around the family farm at a remarkably young age, while his school mates were still having to content themselves with the toy version.

The hotelier manages Headlam Hall, near Darlington, which was standing derelict beside land the Robinsons had farmed for four generations until the late 1970s when Thomas's parents John and Ann bought and converted the 17th century country house into what has become an award winning rural retreat, with a spa and 9-hole golf course.

Two years ago the renowned Rose & Crown was added to the fold. The picture perfect coaching inn perched on the village green at Romaldkirk, near Barnard Castle was already a much loved destination for locals and upper Teesdale tourists before the Robinsons took it under their wing and began to earn rave reviews for the quality of their food and service.

"Taking on the Rose & Crown allowed my wife (Cheryl) to get involved full time in the business - she is the face of the family over there," says Thomas. "We believe it is very important for the hotels to be run by us hands on. If we got larger then we would have to take on management and in doing that we would lose something.

“For me when I visit a hotel the two most important elements are the food and the service. It doesn’t necessarily have to be posh food, just good quality ingredients well prepared. It is the same with service. You don’t need white gloves and silver - being looked after by someone who wants to be there and clearly relishes what they do is key," he says.

The family's farming tradition - which following the foot and mouth crisis switched from stock to arable - is kept alive by Thomas's elder brother Simon. "There are similarities between farming and hospitality," adds Thomas. "They are seasonal businesses. At this time of year both experience a lull. If we're very lucky we can get away for a skiing holiday. But it's also when you prepare for the busy times," he says.

Bedrooms at the Rose & Crown have been refurbished and the kitchen – run by new head chef David Hunter - has undergone a revamp. Thomas is already planning work on Headlam Hall next winter to “take it up a notch.”

He explains: “You have to keep up with trends and make sure things don’t start to look tired. The minute that you think it’s time to put your feet up and the job is done then you risk being overtaken by the competition. Even a slight change can make all of the difference. We love what we do and I hope that comes through.”

FIVE minutes with Thomas Robinson, managing director of Headlam Hall Hotel.

Favourite North-East building and why?

The Bowes Museum because it is just so unexpected to see a grand French Chateau in the Teesdale countryside. C’est magnifique.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid?

Working on the family farm during school holidays which I quite enjoyed once I was old enough to drive tractors aged about 12 (maybe I was older if that’s not legal). Pay was a hard negotiation with my father and probably came in around £10 a day.

What is the worst job you've had?

I’ve been very fortunate in that I have not had to do a job that I did not like to some degree but there was one job on the farm that I did as a youngster. It involved climbing into the grain dryer (when it was out of use) and cleaning it out. The dust was the itchiest known to mankind.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner?

Probably a chicken stir-fry as my wife has just taught me how to cook a very tasty one with chilli and ginger. It would be more likely though that I would take you out for dinner to a restaurant.

What would your superpower be?

To fully utilise the potential of the human brain which would unleash numerous skills and powers of the mind.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party.

First up, I would want an explorer at the table and I could think of few better than George Mallory. Next up would be a racing driver and although I think the top three are Clark, Surtees and Senna I would probably invite James Hunt for the entertainment. Jools Holland would be there to play the piano afterwards and I also think he’d have some interesting stories. Finally a comedian like Billy Connolly who was the funniest man going in his heyday.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much?

A sailing boat which was a joint purchase amongst the family and about £80k.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why?

I don’t actually follow anyone on Twitter but if I had to then maybe someone who always puts their foot in their mouth for the entertainment factor. Otherwise someone like Bear Grylls if he tweets as he gets to some interesting spots.

Favourite book?

Not very exciting but John Grisham and ‘A Time To Kill’

When did you last cry?

Grown men don’t cry.

What is your greatest achievement?

Wooing my now wife.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given?

I can’t think of a time that any wise old soul has sat me down and delivered a killer line on succeeding in business but one that I seem to have adopted is to keep moving forward and try to stay ahead of the game.

Favourite animal and why?

I love dogs - loyal, funny and they put a smile on most people’s faces.

Most famous person on your mobile phone?

Just checked through my phone and I have drawn a blank. If I ever meet a famous person I tend to take a back seat as I always find it a bit ‘cringe-worthy’ when people swarm around them just because of the celebrity factor.

What was the last band you saw live?

An après-ski band in Zermatt but as far as famous bands go it would be the Foo Fighters.

Describe your perfect night in.

My wife who is an excellent cook makes delicious Mexican fajitas – a bottle of beer sat listening to music before dinner, a couple of glasses of wine with the meal and then a good film to watch.

In another life I would be...

A professional racing driver who had it all wrapped up by the age of 35 and then lived a charmed life of appearances at car events like Goodwood and had time for plenty for travelling around hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Matthew McConaughey and in true movie style the story would be embellished so I was brought up on a huge Texas ranch and went on to run a billion dollar hotel empire with all the complications of a show like Dallas.

What irritates you?

Health & safety ‘gone mad’ – what happened to personal responsibility? The human race did fine as a species for thousands of years before this all came along in the last three decades. I also hate the suing culture that comes on the back of this.

What's your secret talent?

Author.