HOTELS


Industry recognition for job generation is just the start


UFI IBRAHIM is chief executive officer of British Hospitality Association


Shiva makes £87.6m purchase


Shiva Hotels has acquired London’s Millennium Bridge House for £87.6m, from the private equity group, Te Carlyle Group. Te seven-story building, close


W


ith 2013 almost over and the New Year just around the corner, our thoughts turn to fresh beginnings and


opportunity. For the hospitality and tour- ism industry there is plenty to look forward to, kick-started by the encouraging recogni- tion from government Ministers and MPs, which will surely add fresh impetus and gravitas for our work in 2014. Indeed, speaking at the launch of an


independent Deloitte study in London on 21 November 2013, the newly-appointed minister for sport, tourism and equality, Helen Grant, praised the hospitality and tourism sector for its financial contribu- tion to the UK and focus on job generation. The Deloitte report, commissioned


by the UK government-funded group VisitBritain, says that the tourism sector will grow by 3.8 per cent a year from now until 2025. Tourism is responsible for one in three new UK jobs created from 2010 to 2012, say the findings. It is certainly true that the hospital-


ity industry is UK plc’s brightest star. We account for one third of all new jobs cre- ated in Britain between 2010 and 2012, taking us to 3 million employees across all regions of the UK – from coastal to rural, towns and cities. Tis growth will move hospitality up into the top three big- gest employers in Britain. As other industries increasingly auto-


mate and outsource jobs, Hospitality stands out for the scale of jobs it represents, espe- cially for young entrants, and for the pace and extent of career development offered across our industry. Tere are few indus- tries that can match Hospitality’s power to propel individuals from entry level to boardrooms across Britain. As the clock chimes midnight on New


Year’s eve, each and every one of us work- ing in the hospitality and tourism sector should take a moment to be proud of our successes in 2013, resolving that 2014 will build on this year’s achievements; the year when our industry enters a new dimension of productivity, success and recognition from government, MPs and beyond.


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to St Paul’s Cathedral, with views over the River Tames and the Tate Modern, is a prime acquistion for the UK hospitality group, which is looking for high calibre sites across London. Tis property will be rede- veloped into 348-bed luxury hotel. Rishi Sachdev, managing director


of Shiva Hotels, says: “Te purchase of Millennium Bridge House is the latest in a line of strategic acqusitions of significant and high calibre sites across London for the development and oper- ation of landmark hotels.” In the last 18 months, Shiva Hotels has


opened the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, started work on a bou- tique hotel on Buckingham Gate and a luxury hotel in Canary Wharf. Two more will open by February: Hampton by Hilton Hotels in London Waterloo and London Gatwick North Terminal.


Te purchase is the final in a line of strategic acquisitions Te transaction was completed in conjunc-


tion with Longbow Investment. Managing partner, Kevin Cooper, says this is the larg- est investment for the fund so far, but there is still £300m available and the part- ners are continuing to look for “attractive investment opportunities with exceptional partners for value add UK commercial, investment and development opportunities.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=a3D2M


Premier Inn expansion to create 8,000 jobs


UK budget hotel chain Premier Inn has announced the creation of 8,000 new jobs over the next five years as the busi- ness progresses with rapid expansion plans – which will see a new hotel open every 10 days. Te announcement was made on


Monday 24 November as Premier Inn opened its latest property, London City, located in the capital’s Monument area. A spokesperson said that from the


8,000 jobs being created, Premier Inn has targeted 50 per cent of them to go to long-term, unemployed younger people between the ages of 16-24. Te compsny has also pledged to contribute an


A new Premier Inn will open every 10 days during the expansion


additional 2,000 apprenticeships and 4,500 work placements for young people in the UK by 2018. As part of its plans, Premier Inn is propos-


ing to have 20,000 rooms available within the M25 belt by 2018. Te announcement was backed by minister


for employment, Esther McVey, who praised the business for its commitment to promot- ing job creation. “I was delighted to hear that Premier Inn


will be creating 8,000 new jobs over the next five years,” said McVey. “This Government has been clear about its commitment to


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


promote private sector job creation and this is a stellar example. “Teir commitment to offer half of these


new jobs to long term unemployed young peo- ple is particularly welcome, and is an example that I hope other businesses will follow.” Te British budget hotel chain currently


offers over 50,000 rooms for visitors and runs more than 650 hotels across the country. Premier Inn is a brand of UK hospi-


tality chain Whitbread, which employs over 40,000 people and offers around 2,500 hotels, restaurants and coffee shops. Details: http://lei.sr?a=F5g2h


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2013


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