HOSPITALITY

IN BRIEF

Doubletree by Hilton to open in Lincoln

A new Doubletree by Hilton

hotel is set to open in Lincoln. The 115-bedroom hotel is the result of a franchise agreement between Hilton Worldwide and Brayford Hotels. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development for Hilton Worldwide in Europe and Africa, said: "The Doubletree by Hilton Lincoln will be another great addition to our UK portfolio of nearly 90 hotels, where we are consistently growing our multiple brand presence in a variety of locations."

Aberdeen nightclub set to become hotel

Plans to transform a cinema

and nightclub complex in Aberdeen into a hotel have been submitted. The proposals, drawn up by Glasgow-based Keppie Design, feature a new nine- storey hotel at the former site of the Chicago Rock and Jumpin' Jaks properties. The Union Street building was also the former home of the Capitol Cinema. Keppie architect Jane Brewster said the plans could "bring life" back to the area.

New Premier Inn for Olympics site

Premier Inn, Whitbread's

budget hotel arm, is to build a new 267-bedroom, £25m hotel at Stratford in east London. It will be part of the Westfield Stratford City development, which is adjacent to the Olympic Stadium, and create around 90 jobs. The property will also be the closest hotel to the new Stratford International high-speed railway station which opened in December 2009. Since the beginning of 2009, Premier Inn has opened or is planning 13 new, predominantly leasehold, hotels across the capital, with a combined value of £160m.

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news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk

Industry criticises mayor's 'hotel tax'

Operators slam plans to fund Crossrail scheme with levy on future developments

By Luke Tuchscherer

Some of the world's largest hotel companies have written to London mayor Boris Johnson, slamming his plans to introduce a levy on hotel schemes to help fund the Crossrail project. In a bid to raise £600m to

contribute to the £16bn Crossrail scheme – which aims to run from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf via the West End and City of London – John- son proposed a ‘tax’ on future developments of £60 per sq m in Central London and £82 per sq m on the Isle of Dogs. In a letter signed by

operators including Interna- tional Hotels Group, Wyndham Hotels and Travelodge, it was claimed the plan would jeopardise future growth.

Strong half year for Carluccio's

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio's has reported an 8 per cent increase in pre-tax profits for the 26 weeks to 28 March 2010, compared with the same period last year. In its half-year results,

the company reported an 8 per cent increase in turnover and confirmed that it had resolved a dispute over a rental agreement with the owner of its Dawson Street outlet in Dublin, Ireland. Carluccio's, which has

opened three new eateries during the period, has now extended its UK estate to 45 outlets and a further four sites under franchise. A new restau- rant is due to open in Milton Keynes in July.

The Harvester restaurant chain is one the group's top performers

By Pete Hayman

Pub and restaurant group Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) has posted a 55 per cent increase in pre-tax profits for the half year to 10 April 2010. The company, which operates

the Harvester and Toby Carvery chains, saw operating profits increase by more than 12 per cent during the 28-week period, when compared with the same period last year.

Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital

Like-for-like food sales grew

by 4.3 per cent in the 33 weeks to 15 May, which included both years' Easter period. Chief executive Adam Fowle

said: "The business continues to trade well and we are pleased with the progress made in the first half with improved sales. "These results underpin our

confidence in our strategy of increasing shareholder value by reshaping Mitchells and Butlers around its key food-led brands."

© Cybertrek 2010

The mayor wants hotel operators to contribute towards Crossrail

The letter said: "This is a

serious mistake and we strongly urge you to reconsider your position. Given your previous strong support to the tourism industry in London, we hope you see the folly of introducing this tax and choose not to press ahead with its implementation."

Whitbread's chief executive

Alan Parker also sent a letter that stated: "While I fully appreciate the value of Crossrail to London, funding it by a levy on the hotel industry will be counter-productive and may do long term damage to the city's tourist industry."

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