Lewis Catchpole - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 3

UKH urges protection of hospitality apprenticeship standards

📖 UKHospitality has urged the UK government to preserve hospitality apprenticeship standards amidst a current review. Chief executive Allen Simpson emphasized the importance of these standards for youth employment and sector growth. He warned that reducing the relatively few, low-cost standards could harm recruitment and training, risking a two-tier economy. UKHospitality seeks a 24-month guarantee for standards while collaborating on future skills needs, to ensure opportunities remain accessible to all.

4 min

Corporate travel is a generation game

📅 Younger professionals dominate corporate travel, with Gen Z and Millennials seeking wellness and sustainability. By 2030, Gen Z will add over one billion to the workforce, preferring hotels with gyms and co-working spaces. Research shows two-thirds of UK Gen Z value sustainability, compared to 34% of Baby Boomers. Adaptation is key, as BWH Hotels saw a 19% increase in events. Initiatives like Planners Advantage and wellness options at UK hotels support evolving needs.

2 min

Hotel expands Pitlochry portfolio with £250,000 townhouse conversion

🏠 McKays Hotel, part of Turas Hotels, expanded in Pitlochry with a £250,000 conversion of an Italian café into a townhouse. Opened recently, it offers seven en-suite rooms and two self-catering apartments. This follows a £1.25m investment three years ago. Pitlochry, attracting 500,000 yearly visitors, benefits from tourism boosts like Alan Cumming's role at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. McKays aims to meet demand for upscale lodging, appealing to longer-stay guests.

2 min

Aimbridge EMEA hails strong 2025 profit performance

📈 Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA outperformed market benchmarks in 2025 with a gross operating profit index of 101.8 from January to September, surpassing competitors in England and Wales. The payroll cost per occupied room index reached 126.5 in Q3. Aimbridge added 10 properties, including Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Leeds, and Radisson Red London Twickenham. New sales strategies and data-driven investments boosted performance. President David Anderson emphasizes continued support and adaptability.

2 min

BWH Hotels GB reports record revenue and portfolio growth in 2025

📈 BWH Hotels GB in 2025: Room revenue topped £140m, a 7% rise, with meetings income reaching £4.5m, up 27%. The newly launched website increased conversion rates by 20%. A Black Friday offer grossed over £1m. Email marketing grew by 13%, driving £2m revenue. BW Rewards membership hit 63.4 million globally with GB revenue at £58.6m, up 16%. The group added 18 hotels to its portfolio, marking a transformative year.

2 min

Amano plans eight new hotels as portfolio set to more than double

🏨 Amano Group plans to double its portfolio from 1,500 to over 3,000 rooms within three years, aiming for eight new hotels by 2028 in cities like Leipzig, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, and London. Key projects include a 274-room hotel in Leipzig by early 2027, 512 rooms in Hamburg, 277 rooms in Munich by autumn 2026, 320 rooms in Berlin, and a new 70-room site in Covent Garden, London. The expansion aligns with their strategy to enhance urban presence.

3 min

Whitbread secures Kingsway site for new 200-room hub by Premier Inn

🏨 Whitbread will convert Victory House on Kingsway, London, into a hub by Premier Inn hotel. The 45,000 sq ft office, bought for an undisclosed sum, will transform into around 200 rooms post-lease expiry in April 2026. Since February 2025, Whitbread has committed over £100 million on four London office conversions, adding nearly 1,000 rooms. Whitbread's vision is to expand budget hotel capacity in central London with compact, affordable accommodations.

2 min

Whitbread submits plans for new 104-bedroom Premier Inn in Carlisle

🏨 Whitbread plans a £12m Premier Inn on Victoria Viaduct, Carlisle, with a five-story, 104-bedroom design. Acquired in May 2025, construction may start in 2026, opening by 2028. The project will create 25 permanent jobs and 45 construction roles, boosting the local economy by £4m annually. The hotel will use renewable energy, including heat-recovery systems and air-source pumps. The site’s history dates to 1881, with the former hotel demolished in 2019-20.

2 min

Hotel Indigo Chester appoints Neil Aitken as head chef

🍳 Neil Aitken, a chef with 14 years of Michelin kitchen experience, is the new head chef at The Forge, Hotel Indigo Chester, as of 2025. The Forge, renowned for its two AA Rosettes in 2023, specializes in British ingredients cooked over wood and charcoal. It is operated by Castlebridge Hospitality, a group formed in 2018, with 20 years of hotel management expertise. The restaurant offers diverse menus, collaborating with supplier Aubrey Allen.

2 min

Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch unveils signature restaurants

🏨 Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud will open two signature restaurants at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch in 2026. Smyth will lead Coreus, focusing on British seafood in the former First Sea Lord's residence, featuring a Whiskey and Seaweed bar. Boulud’s Café Boulud will offer French cuisine with a terrace overlooking The Mall and Buckingham Palace. The hotel will feature 100 rooms and suites and 17,500 sq ft of residences, located in a Grade I-listed landmark.

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