Lewis Catchpole - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

2 min

Lloyds duo confirmed for Hotel Owner Conference 2026

📅 Dave North and Jeavon Lolay from Lloyds Banking Group are confirmed contributors for the Hotel Owner Conference 2026. The event is on 3 November 2026 at Prince Philip House, London, focusing on UK hotel ownership trends. It features finance, technology, design, and sustainability themes. Key speakers include Julie White (Accor), David Anderson (Aimbridge), David JM Orr (Resident Hotels), and Tim Davis (PACE Dimensions). The conference is from 09:00–17:00 GMT.

2 min

City of London office building to become 382-room hotel

🏨 City of London, 2025-2028: Ibex House, a Grade II-listed Art Deco building, will be transformed into a 382-room hotel after acquisition by Dominus and Cheyne Capital in December 2025. The project, retaining 90% of the superstructure and 100% of the substructure, will open in late 2028. It includes a conference centre, café, and pub expansion, employing 160 people. Partnering with The Springboard Charity, an on-site academy will offer local resident training.

2 min

IOH partners with Hospitality Action to support industry workers

💸 Institute of Hospitality and Hospitality Action partnered in 2025 to offer funded memberships for hospitality professionals facing financial challenges in the UK. The bursary scheme is part of a care pack providing practical support, including 12-month memberships to a network of over 16,000 professionals. Hospitality Action distributed a record £1.05 million in grants and offers a 24-hour helpline, mental health support, and advocacy services. This initiative helps individuals stay connected to their profession during hard times.

2 min

Reeves to hand pubs £300m bailout but restaurants and hotels to miss out

💸 Rachel Reeves is poised to announce a £300m bailout for UK pubs, potentially today, January 27, to combat soaring business rates, starting in April. Pubs will receive about £100m annually until 2029. Meanwhile, restaurants and hotels face a forecast of 2,076 closures by 2026 due to rate hikes, with average hotel bills rising £28,900 next year (115% over three years). Pubs will see a 15% rise next year, totaling 76% over three years. UKH urges a business rates discount increase for hospitality.

2 min

Hand Picked Hotels chef wins National Chef of Wales award

🍳 Dion Wyn Jones, executive chef at Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, was named National Chef of Wales 2026 by the Culinary Association of Wales. Competing against six finalists, Jones showcased his skills with a menu featuring poached cod and Welsh lamb. Rookery Hall, part of the Hand Picked Hotels group, holds three AA rosettes and is one of 21 properties in the UK and Channel Islands. This recognition underscores Jones's dedication and excellence in culinary arts.

2 min

Wiltshire’s Cricklade House Hotel & Spa brought to market for £3.5m

🏨 The Cricklade House Hotel and Spa in Wiltshire is on sale for £3.5m. Purico Group, the main shareholder since 2018, invested £1.5m in upgrades. The property features 45 guest rooms, the Fritillary Spa, and extensive leisure facilities like tennis and golf courses. It also offers event spaces for up to 120 guests. Situated on 29 acres, the sale is managed by Christie and Co, providing a unique investment opportunity.

2 min

Accor to open 144 key new-build hotel in Chester regeneration project

🏨 Accor plans to open a 144-room Ibis Styles hotel in Chester city centre by 2028, as part of the Chester City Gateway project. This new location will join Accor's global network of over 700 Ibis Styles hotels across 58 countries. Graham Dodd emphasized Chester's growth potential, while Luke Averill highlighted the hotel's role in the city's regeneration. Accor currently operates more than 200 hotels in the UK.

2 min

Larchbay offloads historic Farnham hotel for £12m

🏨 An undisclosed hotel group acquired The Bush Hotel Farnham from Larchbay for £12 million. The historic hotel, dating back to 1618, is located in Surrey and features 95 bedrooms with plans for 35 more. Larchbay owned it for eight years, recently completing a refurbishment. Knight Frank and Simon Stevens Associates managed the sale. The acquisition highlights robust hotel investment activity as of 2026, with strong trading performance attracting significant buyer interest.

3 min

The hospitality sector cannot afford to overlook AI

💻 78% of hotel chains use AI, with 89% planning expansion, but only 8% have a strategy. Trust in AI is rated 6.6/10, with reliance at 4.7. AI-driven transactions soared 600% from September 2023 to January 2024. 42% of travelers use AI for trip planning. Barriers include lack of expertise and ROI measurement. Effective AI use improves business intelligence, chatbots, and personalized bookings, enhancing guest experience, without replacing human roles.

2 min

LondonMetric acquires nine Premier Inn hotels for £89m

🏨 LondonMetric acquired nine Premier Inn hotels for £89 million. The deal includes 955 bedrooms, delivering a net initial yield of 5.3% with 30-year leases, generating £5 million annual rent. Rent reviews occur every five years, linked to the consumer price index. The hotels are located in the South East, including Southampton Airport and Milton Keynes. Whitbread, as the seller, contributes £11.3 million annually, 2.7% of LondonMetric’s total rent. LondonMetric now owns 22 Premier Inns.

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