Lewis Catchpole - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

1 min

Graduate by Hilton Cambridge brought to market for over £60m

📈 Graduate Cambridge, part of Hilton, is for sale by AJ Capital Partners through CBRE, with expectations over £60m-£65m. The 148-room hotel, refurbished in 2021, includes a restaurant, café, bar, fitness center, pool, and 430 sqm of event space. Located near University of Cambridge, it offers 151 parking spaces. CBRE highlights Cambridge as a strong hospitality market, attracting global investment interest due to high demand and limited supply.

1 min

Local experiences and quality key to indie hotel success, BWH finds

🏨 In 2026, over 200 hotel owners and industry experts gathered at the BWH Hotels GB conference. The focus shifted from price to authentic, hyper-local experiences. The GEMS initiative—Great Escapes, Memorable Stays—uses local guides and artisanal dining to enhance guest experiences. UKHospitality's Allen Simpson and Visit Britain's Patricia Yates emphasized authenticity over luxury. Tim Rumney, BWH Hotels GB CEO, highlighted brand contribution, scale, and quality as pillars for resilience.

2 min

Castlebridge’s Midlands hotels secure Green Key certification

📍 Castlebridge Hospitality's Hotel Indigo sites in Coventry and Stratford-upon-Avon earned their first Green Key certification in 2026, meeting 130 sustainability criteria. Managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education, this aligns with UN standards. To commemorate, 100 trees will be planted in Kenya, estimated to absorb 181 tonnes of CO2. This achievement, praised by COO Jane Kendrick of Mission Net Zero, marks a significant step towards reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable guest choices.

3 min

Sustainability, without compromised design

🌱 Corby of Windsor is transforming sustainability in the hospitality sector by prioritizing eco-friendly product design and manufacturing. From August 2023 to September 2024, 82,000 toxic chrome-plated items were replaced with polished stainless steel. Their battery-free bathroom scales and Skye hair dryer use 58% less energy. Launching early 2026, the Buxton BUSA™ bamboo range offers sustainable guestroom accessories. Corby aims for net zero status and is recognized by EcoVadis and Alcumus SafeSupplier for sustainability and safety.

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.

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.

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