Today’s news in brief – 30/1/25
Montcalm Collection is partnering with Michelin-starred chef Akira Back to launch ‘Lilli by Akira Back’ at Montcalm Mayfair, opening this spring. Back, originally from Seoul, has designed the menu, blending British cuisine with his signature dishes. The chef currently operates 29 restaurants globally, with plans to open 10 more in cities like Rome and Bali. Lilli by Akira Back will be his second venture in London. Montcalm Mayfair, the collection’s flagship, has undergone a sensitive renovation by Holland Harvey architects and Studio Est designers. Samantha van Exter, head of hotels at Montcalm Collection, praised Back’s innovation, while the chef expressed excitement for the long-planned partnership.
Dublin’s Morrison Hotel is on the market for €90m (£75m). The 157-room hotel, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, features guest rooms inspired by Irish musicians, along with three dining outlets: Morrison Grill, Halo restaurant, and Quay 14 cocktail bar. The hotel recently added 12 new rooms by converting The Printworks venue and the fourth floor. Following a rebranding to Curio in December 2023 and a five-star reclassification, the hotel has seen growth in rates and occupancy. Located near Temple Bar and key attractions like Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse, the Morrison has earned accolades, including a 2024 Gold Greengage ECOsmart accreditation. CBRE Hotels Ireland, managing the sale, described it as a highly profitable investment with further potential.
UKHospitality is urging the government to introduce a targeted growth plan for the hospitality sector, emphasizing its ability to drive immediate economic expansion. CEO Kate Nicholls stressed that while large infrastructure projects take years to deliver results, hospitality can generate growth now if properly supported. She highlighted employer National Insurance contributions as a key barrier to investment and called for backing hospitality as a means to strengthen communities and local economies.
