Today’s news in brief – 1/11/24
Hilton has opened a new 189-room hotel in Woking’s Victoria Square as part of the town’s revitalization project. The hotel, which is close to shops, theatres, and entertainment venues, includes 14 suites and an executive lounge with panoramic views of Woking and the Surrey countryside. Guests can enjoy a fitness centre, the Loft Sky Bar with Pan-Asian dishes on the 22nd floor, and the British farm-to-fork OXBO restaurant on the 21st floor. The hotel also offers extensive event spaces, including Surrey’s largest hotel ballroom and several meeting rooms. The design reflects Woking’s railway history and local landscape, with materials sourced from local suppliers. General Manager Kelly Shrives-Wrist highlighted the hotel’s community commitment, including local employment and partnerships.
The UK Autumn Budget includes employment tax increases that will significantly impact the hospitality industry, according to UKHospitality. The rise in employer National Insurance Contributions and National Living Wage will increase the annual cost per employee by approximately £2,500. UKHospitality’s CEO, Kate Nicholls, expressed concerns that these changes are unsustainable for high street businesses, particularly those paying the National Living Wage. She noted that the sector may have to reduce hiring or hours to manage costs, which could negatively affect growth and employment.
Aendre, a new aparthotel brand, has strengthened its management team since launching in June. Key hires include Gary Jones as equity director of finance and operations, Carina Cimpean as a real estate advisor, and Christian Suarez as a senior investment analyst. The company’s advisory team has also grown, with Edward Chang and Dave Barry joining to support its vision of creating a unique lifestyle hospitality experience. Co-founders Eric Jafari and Chris Strong emphasised the importance of their team’s expertise in delivering a modern hospitality model catering to urban consumers’ evolving needs.
The historic Hellaby Hall Hotel in South Yorkshire has been sold for £8m. Formerly owned by the Lavin family, the 17th-century manor house, now a four-star hotel with 89 rooms, extensive wellness facilities, and event spaces, was sold to the Harrison family. The new owners plan to invest in the property’s growth, building on its established reputation. David Lee from Christie and Co, who managed the sale, expressed confidence that the Harrison family will continue the hotel’s success.
