Today’s news in brief – 14/10/24

Andy Short has been appointed head chef at ISCA, the restaurant at Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park Hotel, which is set to open in January 2025 as IHG’s first net zero carbon hotel. Short, who previously served as head chef at Salcombe Harbour Hotel, brings expertise in environmentally-focused cuisine, backed by a degree in environmental science and a master’s in environmental consultancy. Short’s vision for ISCA aligns with his passion for sustainability, focusing on locally sourced ingredients and responsible sourcing for seafood. The restaurant aims to be a model of sustainability, offering diverse plant-based dishes and ethical meat selections. The hotel’s general manager, Barnaby Kean, expressed confidence in Short’s ability to establish ISCA as a leader in responsible dining, while Zeal Hotels’ managing director, Tim Wheeldon, praised Short’s role in creating a sustainable dining experience at the four-star, 142-room hotel, which is still under construction.

Criterion Capital has secured a £25m investment from Cynergy Bank to expand its Zedwell hotel brand, known for its sleep-centric and design-forward concept. Zedwell hotels feature rooms, called ‘cocoons,’ which emphasise rest through soundproofing, Hypnos mattresses, purified air, and ambient lighting. Already successful with three locations in central London, the funding will fuel the brand’s rapid growth across the UK, with upcoming locations in York, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Zedwell aims to expand to 8,000 rooms by 2027. Omar Aziz, director at Criterion Capital, expressed excitement about the brand’s UK-wide expansion, while Cynergy Bank’s Nishil Tanna praised Criterion’s vision for redefining hospitality.

The Haughmond Inn, a multi-faceted hospitality business in Upton Magna, has been listed for sale with a guide price of £1m. Owned by Martin and Melanie Board, the property includes five en-suite bedrooms, a 70-cover restaurant, a café, a bakery, a pedal shop, holiday lets, and parking. The couple renovated the site after acquiring it in 2012 but is now selling due to personal health reasons. Melanie described the business as a prime opportunity for further development. Josh Sullivan of Colliers’ Hotels team emphasised the site’s potential for growth and a variety of revenue streams.

Northcote Hotel, a 26-bedroom property in Lancashire, has been brought to market by Savills on a price-on-application basis. Acquired in 2019 by Britannia Hospitality, the hotel saw a revenue increase from £5.8m to £6.1m in 2023 but suffered a pre-tax loss of £171,284. The hotel includes a restaurant led by executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and hosts the annual culinary festival, Obsession.