hotels


Eat, drink... and avoid the obesity trap!


PhiliPPe RossiteR is chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality


Mondrian to open london hotel


US-based hospitality com- pany Morgans Hotel Group (MHG) has revealed plans to launch Europe’s first Mondrian-branded property at the iconic Sea Containers House in central London. Te 652,000sq ſt (60,573sq


W


ith Christmas almost upon us, we are bombarded by advertisements encour- aging us to ‘eat, drink and


be merry’. At the same time, many families (well, at least the hard-pressed mothers!) will be planning meals for the festive season, while also seeking out additional ‘treats’ we seem to long for at this time of the year. Against this backdrop, the last thing peo-


ple might wish to hear is that the UK is the fattest nation in Europe! Data published by Eurostat in November showed that almost a quarter of women in the UK were recorded as obese; more than any other country in Europe. Not far behind them in the fatty stakes are the men. Not surprisingly, with such examples our children do not fare much better; and Professor Dame Carol Black’s 2008 review found significant lev- els of obesity among the nation’s youngest. Te medical profession (and others) are


so worried about this situation that they pre- dict the UK could have around 26 million obese people by 2030 if current trends con- tinue. Faced with such a challenge, there is very real concern the burden on health ser- vices will become enormous, for obesity is linked to a wide variety of diseases and con- ditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure. When the nation is fac- ing tremendous strains on public finances, such predictions are most unwelcome. Ultimately, the solution to this (mostly)


self-inflicted condition of obesity, which is symptomatic of our modern society ‘norms’ based on desire rather than need, is better education about both the causes and effects of over indulgence. Yet all sectors of industry can also play their part in making sure they do everything possible to provide healthy and nutritious food for their customers. Investing in skills which enable chefs to pre- pare wholesome meals is just part of this. In addition, the caterer can do much to


influence choice by the design of dishes and menu presentation. Te irony is that this does not have to be expensive; indeed, a bet- ter skilled team in the kitchen can actually save a business money, while still maintain- ing excellent standards.


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m) office building, which is located on the South Bank, is set to accommodate a 360-bedroom hotel and is expected to become the brand’s sixth property. Due to open in 2014, the


hotel will offer an “innova- tive restaurant” and ground floor and rooſtop bars conceived by the Light Group, as well as a spa. MHG has revealed that it will invest around


Te landmark London building will house the Mondrian-branded hotel


to launch Mondrian-branded hotels in Doha, Qatar, and Nassau, Te Bahamas. MHG chief executive officer Michael Gross


£9m (€10.6m, US$14.1m) of “key money” into the project, which is the third Mondrian management agreement announced this year. Earlier this year, the group announced its plans


said: “Sea Containers is an exceptional prop- erty in a key gateway city that will allow us to serve our guests for business and pleasure throughout the year.”


PwC: Regional hotels impacted by slow GDP growth


PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has raised concerns that slow economic growth in the UK will “further compound the difficulties” for regional hoteliers heading into 2012. In a “rule of thumb” analysis undertaken by PwC, it has been suggested every percentage


point fall in gross domestic product (GDP) will lead to a similar drop in occupancy rates. However, next year’s Olympic Games,


Diamond Jubilee and Farnborough Air Show could offset some of the impact for those “in the right place at the right time”.


Seven von Essen properties change hands


Seven UK properties that formed part of the von Essen Hotels portfolio have been acquired by Halcyon Hotels and Resorts, the operator owned by Nigel Chapman. The purchase comes six


years aſter Halcyon sold five hotels to the von Essen group. Hotels now under the group’s ownership include Tornbury Castle Hotel near Bristol. Other properties that have


been acquired from von Essen by Halcyon are: Fowey Hall in Cornwall; Wooley Grange in Bradford-on-Avon; Te Elms in Abberley, Worcestershire; Moonfleet Manor near Weymouth, Dorset; New Park Manor in Hampshire; and Te East Wing at Ickworth, which is leased from the National Trust.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital Te 32-suite Tornbury Castle Hotel is among those bought by Halcyon Christie + Co managing director Chris


Day said: “We’re delighted to have sold such a significant package of von Essen hotels to Halcyon Hotels and Resorts.”


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2011


image: gary houston


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