Corina Duma - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 8

2 min

UKH welcomes rise in inheritance tax relief threshold

🏨 UKHospitality welcomes the UK government's decision to raise the Business Property Relief threshold from £1M to £2.5M, effective April 2026. 47% of hospitality businesses, especially in rural and coastal areas, have been affected. Oak Taverns halted growth and plans to sell pubs, while The Empire Hotel may close due to tax bills. Despite the positive change, UKH urges further government collaboration on tax solutions.

2 min

Courtyard by Marriott Sheffield opens under RBH Hospitality

🏨 Courtyard by Marriott opened a 150-bedroom hotel in Sheffield at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, owned by Stapleford Ventures and operated by RBH Hospitality Management. It’s RBH’s first Sheffield property, featuring a restaurant, bar, meeting spaces, and a fitness center. David Hart, RBH CEO, emphasized strengthening ties with Marriott. Notable facilities are managed by Filipe Chaby-Rodrigues. Recent Marriott news includes property sales and openings in London and Cape Town, with dates in December 2025.

3 min

Pitlochry hotel to provide 100 Christmas meals for foodbank

🎄 McKays Hotel in Pitlochry will provide 100 free Christmas meals for the local foodbank after the closure of its former venue. Meals will be served at a venue behind Pitlochry Baptist Church or delivered to homes. The hotel will donate £600 worth of food in January and plans further support. Demand for foodbanks in Scotland has doubled over 10 years due to living costs. Around 70 people have booked for the lunch so far.

2 min

Buzzworks officially acquires first hotel amid expansion plan

🏨 Scottish hospitality operator Buzzworks will acquire the Nether Abbey Hotel in North Berwick in mid-January, marking its first venture into accommodation. The hotel, a family-run establishment for over 60 years, will undergo a seven-figure refurbishment, transforming it into a venue with 12 rooms, a pub, and a restaurant. Construction is set for spring 2026, with reopening in late 2026. The redevelopment will create 25-45 jobs, retaining current staff during refurbishment. Buzzworks aims to expand its presence in East Lothian.

Hospitality venues face average £32,700 rise in business rates

🏠 UKHospitality forecasts England's hospitality venues will see an average business rate increase of over £32,000 in three years. By 2028/29, rates may rise from £20,835 to £40,409, a 94% increase. Holborn and St Pancras face a £96,429 hike, while Leeds West and Pudsey see £12,297 more. Despite transitional relief and a sector-specific multiplier, costs rise. UKHospitality urges a 20p reduction in the business rates multiplier, warning of potential closures and job losses.

2 min

Marriott to open EDITION hotel at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront

🏨 Marriott International plans to open The Cape Town EDITION at V&A Waterfront in 2026. This marks Africa’s first EDITION hotel, featuring 142 rooms, suites, and private residences. Designed by Neri and Hu with StudioMAS, it will offer dining venues, a rooftop bar, a spa, and a pool. Located in Granger Bay, it offers views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. This development is part of Marriott’s African expansion strategy focusing on luxury lifestyle brands.

2 min

Criterion Capital opens second underground hotel in London

🏨 Criterion Capital expands in London with Zedwell Underground Park Lane, a 133-room hotel in Mayfair, opened in 2025. As the second underground Zedwell hotel in the capital, it repurposes urban space to reduce environmental impact. Features include windowless “cocoons” and automated check-in. The company operates over 3,000 rooms in London, with plans for 6,000 more by 2029, extending to Oxford, Edinburgh, and Manchester, targeting leisure and business travelers.

2 min

Fort George Hotel and Spa named Belize’s best MICE hotel for 2025

🏨 Fort George Hotel and Spa in Belize City was awarded Belize’s Best MICE Hotel for 2025 at the World MICE Awards in Bahrain on 6 December. The Lord Ashcroft Centre, offering over 6,600 square feet of flexible meeting space for up to 500 guests, was a significant factor. Opened in early 2024, the hotel features in-house event planning and a new room tower set for 2026, adding 120 rooms. Located 30 minutes from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport.

BoE cuts interest rates to 3.75%

💸 Bank of England cuts interest rates to 3.75% from 4% on 3 December 2025, marking the lowest since February 2023. The Monetary Policy Committee's decision was split 5-4. Inflation fell to 3.2% in November, driven by decreases in food, alcohol, and clothing costs. Despite this, the rate remains above the 2% target. Budget measures such as energy bill reductions are expected to aid further inflation decline. Governor Andrew Bailey emphasizes ongoing vigilance regarding inflation and labor market trends.

Corvex takes 6% stake in Whitbread and calls for strategic review

💰 US hedge fund Corvex Management has acquired a 6.05% stake in Whitbread, equivalent to 10,221,246 shares, and is pushing for a strategic review of the company's direction and capital allocation. This comes amidst Whitbread's five-year £3.5 billion investment plan. Corvex argues that Whitbread's current share price undervalues its assets. They seek board representation to collaborate on strategy. Whitbread, owner of Premier Inn, has yet to respond publicly.

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