Today’s news in brief – 12/3/24
Whitbread, the hospitality giant, has expanded its UK and Ireland network with the addition of 11 new Premier Inn and Hub by Premier Inn hotels during the 2023/24 period. This move brings them closer to their target of 125,000 rooms across the region. Notable additions include new hotels in Ireland’s Dublin City Centre and Cork, as well as in Central London. A significant highlight is the launch of their first hotel powered solely by renewable electricity in Swindon Town Centre. Development director Alex Flach expressed gratitude to the team and emphasised the company’s flexibility in acquiring and developing hotels across various locations and configurations.
Virgin Hotels Glasgow, which opened in August 2023, was suddenly closed in December of the same year, leading to its current sale. The hotel, boasting 165 completed bedrooms and potential for further development, overlooks the River Clyde in Glasgow city centre. The closure resulted in 130 employees being made redundant. Savills Scotland anticipates significant global interest in purchasing this prime asset due to its excellent standards and strategic location.
McKeever Hotel Group, based in Antrim, Northern Ireland, has introduced the ‘Green Rooms’ initiative to raise funds for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. Guests can opt out of daily housekeeping, with each participating room contributing £5 to the hospice. The initiative not only supports a worthy cause but also promotes sustainability by reducing laundry costs and energy consumption. Guests who participate stand a chance to win a Rituals gift set, further incentivizing engagement.
The Greenway Hotel and Spa has undergone an extensive eight-week refurbishment, focusing on communal areas such as the spa brasserie, reception, and meeting spaces. The refurbishment aimed to enhance guest experience and modernise the venue while maintaining its historical charm. Notable changes include the addition of a permanent bar in the Orchard Brasserie, revitalization of the manor house reception with a limestone Tudor fireplace, and functional adaptations to meeting spaces like the Austen Room. General manager Craig Routledge highlights the venue’s enhanced appeal for guests and its potential as a community asset.
