Today’s news in brief – 8/8/24
Newhall Mains, a boutique hotel on the Black Isle, has relaunched its restaurant after a refurbishment, appointing Alex Henderson as head chef. Henderson, an Inverness native with experience at Michelin-starred House of Tides and The Torridon, brings a focus on British produce and a commitment to using locally foraged ingredients. His menu features classic dishes with an elegant twist, including Scottish seafood and in-house creations like “Andy’s sourdough” and honeycomb from the estate’s bees. The restaurant, housed in a former grain store, offers a refined yet relaxed dining experience.
A study commissioned by Whitbread reveals that guests at Premier Inn hotels contribute significantly to local economies, spending an average of £143 per room per night, with half of that within two miles of the hotel. This spending results in an average economic contribution of over £4m annually per hotel. The study found that guests in London locations spend the most, with food, drink, and entertainment being the top categories. Whitbread’s Alex Flach highlighted how Premier Inn’s budget accommodations help boost local businesses and visitor economies across the UK.
Lamington Group has announced plans to open a new Room2 hotel in York in 2026. The £30m development will include 116 guest rooms, a meeting space, gym, and a new cafe and bar concept. Designed to meet net-zero carbon standards, the hotel reflects the group’s commitment to sustainability. CEO Robert Godwin emphasised the importance of creating long-term environmental and social value, even in challenging economic times. This will be Room2’s fifth location, following recent expansions in the UK.
Airbnb’s shares fell 14% after hours as Q2 profits dropped to $555m (£437.14m), down from $650m (£511.9m) the previous year, despite an 11% rise in revenues. The decline is attributed to weakening US consumer demand and economic uncertainty. Airbnb’s Q3 revenue forecast also fell short of analysts’ expectations. The company removed over 200,000 listings that failed to meet guest standards and plans to invest in under-penetrated markets and expand offerings beyond travel accommodations through initiatives like Airbnb Icons.
