hospitality
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in Brief
'Staycations' blamed for hotel worries
Best Western expands
Regional properties affected by increase in number of caravan and camping breaks
UK hotel portfolio
Four hotels across the country By Tom Walker
have come under the Best
Western Great Britain brand, The rising number of hotel
increasing the US-based group's operators going bust outside
UK portfolio by an additional London has been blamed on
137 bedrooms. Henbury Lodge the 'staycationing' trend, as
Hotel near Bristol; Himley Hotel consumers are increasingly
in Dudley, West Midlands; White swapping hotel nights to
Hart Hotel in Moretonhampstead, accommodation offered by
Devon and Ilford Hotel in Ilford, caravan and camping sites.
Essex, have all joined the PricewaterhouseCoopers
company within the last month. (PwC) research revealed that
the rate at which hotel
Prezzo acquires
companies became insolvent Smaller, regional hotels have struggled to cope with the recession
Tring site
increased by 68 per cent
Italian restaurant operator during the fourth quarter of Chubb said: "Individual hotels hotel visits for staycations has
Prezzo has expanded its 2009, when compared to the based in the provinces and not taken its toll on hotels,
portfolio by acquiring a freehold previous three-month period. affiliated with a major brand particularly in the provinces.
property in Tring, Hertfordshire. According to PwC partner have continued to suffer from "Very few hotel owners have
Prezzo will take over the former David Chubb, the traditionally poor occupancy and low rates. experience of operating in the
La Viña tapas bar and, following quiet trading period between "We expect this to continue current harsh climate, and must
a rebrand, plans to reopen the January and March could mean into 2010. In addition to the identify realistic options,
site later this spring. Davis that there is no respite in sight absence of the corporate diagnose problems, and
Coffer Lyons acted on behalf of for hoteliers outside the capital. traveller, the substitution of implement a survival strategy."
Prezzo on the deal. It is the
second Hertfordshire site that
Salcombe Hotel
the company has secured in the
Hospitality driving UK's recovery
past month, after acquiring a
to relaunch
26-bedroom hotel in Bishop's The Salcombe Marine
Stortford. Prezzo operates 140 Hotel is set to reopen on
UK sites and plans to open 10 29 March 2010 after
new restaurants this year. being acquired by an
independent hotel chain.
Punch Taverns offloads
Harbour Hotels Group
Alcester property
has taken over the
Punch Taverns has sold the 53-bedroom property and
Mother Huff Cap Inn near will relaunch it as a four
Alcester, Warwickshire, to a star hotel.
private investor, in a deal To be called Salcombe The sector boosted the economy's output during the fourth quarter
believed to be worth around Harbour Hotel, the
£300,000. The new owner has property boasts a By Tom Walker increases in hotels and
granted a new lease on the restaurant, an indoor restaurants, as well as distribu-
Mother Huff Cap Inn to Urban swimming pool and health The UK has officially emerged tion and public services.
and Country Leisure, the club as well as a sun out of recession after new The growth, however,
managed multiple pub operator, terrace. Led by MD Mark figures published by the Office was slower than expected as
taking its estate to 14 sites. Godfrey, the Harbour of National Statistics (ONS) commentators had widely
Christie + Co acted on behalf of Hotels Group currently revealed that the economy predicted the increase in
Punch on the deal. The Mother operates hotels in St Ives, grew by 0.1 per cent during the gross domestic product to
Huff Cap, which dates back to Sidmouth and Christchurch, last quarter of 2009. reach 0.4 per cent.
the 18th century, comprises a as well as the Rhodes According to the ONS, the The ONS announcement
40-cover main bar, a 20-cover South restaurant in increase in output for the brings to an end an 18-month
snug, games room, 80-capacity Christchurch in partnership three-month period between period of recession – the
function room, and a three- with chef Gary Rhodes October and December 2009 longest such period suffered by
bedroom owner's accommodation. was driven mainly due to the UK since WWII.
14 Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital © Cybertrek 2010
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