Long-serving Athenaeum doorman Jim Burns dies aged 65

Jim Burns, the doorman of the Athenaeum in London, has died aged 65.

Burns worked at the hotel for 33 years before his retirement. He died peacefully at home on 14 January 2025.

The Athenaeum hotel general manager Joanne Taylor-Stagg described him as the “heartbeat of the Athenaeum”.

She added: “Together with John, he welcomed everyone through our doors with a beaming smile, quick wit and likely a cheeky remark or two. Jim didn’t just make first impressions – he made lasting ones. Whether you were a regular guest or a first-time visitor, chances are you left with a story to tell about Jim.”

Burns worked on the door at the hotel for 30 years before a motorcycle accident in 2020 made it hard for him to stand for long periods. In 2022 he asked to retire from door duties, but such was his connection to the hotel that a new role of brand ambassador was created to accommodate his unique expertise and knowledge.

It was in this role that he would continue to regale guests with stories of the hotel’s history. “He didn’t just share our story – he was our story, and the face of the Athenaeum,” Taylor-Stagg said.

She continued: “Jim was larger than life, and his absence feels equally vast. But in typical Jim fashion, he’s left us with more laughter and joy than we know what to do with. We invite you to join us in raising a glass, sharing a smile, and keeping Jim, his family, and his friends, close to your hearts.”

Please send any tributes to James.Stagg@thecaterer.com