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Lewis Catchpole

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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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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  • 1 min

Down Hall reports 75% rise in conference enquiries

🏨 Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate reported a 75% rise in conference enquiry revenue between 2022-2024, with a 62% increase in confirmed conference revenue. In 2025, enquiries rose by 14% and bookings by 7.5%. Wellness event add-ons surged by 82% annually. The dining sector saw a 75% uplift, driven by outdoor dining. The estate, located on 110 acres, features 12 event spaces and 98 rooms. EcoSmart Silver Accreditation was achieved, and The Charles Gardens venue will open in 2026.
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  • 2 min

New owner acquires Middleham’s The Wensleydale Hotel

🏨 The Wensleydale Hotel in Middleham, owned by the Merchie family since 2019, has been sold to Oliver Kwok after six years. This 18th-century hotel features 17 en suite bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a private dining room. Middleham, known for its horseracing stables, enhances the hotel's attraction. Kwok plans to focus on sustainability while supporting the community. The sale, conducted by Christie and Co, marks their eighth major sale in the Yorkshire Dales' National Park in four years.
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