Today’s news in brief – 21/2/25
Regency House, a five-star boutique hotel in Belfast’s Queen’s Quarter, has appointed Nicholas Forsythe as its new general manager ahead of its latest expansion. Originally from South Africa, Forsythe brings 20 years of luxury hospitality experience to the role. The £7m expansion, set to open this spring, will add eight new bedrooms, a ground-floor restaurant, a first-floor lounge, and a premium wellness suite. Forsythe has already introduced innovative initiatives, including an exclusive in-suite dining menu, to enhance guest experience. Regency House proprietor Anthony Kieran praised Forsythe’s leadership as the hotel prepares for its next phase.
Aimbridge EMEA has launched a General Managers’ Advisory Council to empower its hotel teams and improve communication between management and on-the-ground staff. The council, chaired by Sarah Bestwick (Cluster GM for Holiday Inn and Ibis Budget Manchester Airport) and vice-chaired by Kaushik Majumder (Cluster GM – Mercure Leeds Parkway and Bradford Hotel), will meet monthly to provide insights and feedback. Aimbridge EMEA president David Anderson emphasized the importance of GMs in shaping guest experience and driving performance, highlighting the initiative’s goal of aligning corporate strategies with operational realities.
The Park Hotel in Sefton has applied for planning permission for a five-story extension, which will add 40 rooms and enhance accessibility with specially designed accommodations. The development also includes a padel tennis center with seven courts, changing facilities, a sauna, an ice bath, and a café. A viewing area will provide guests with an elevated experience, and six of the hotel’s parking spaces will be converted into EV charging points. The expansion aims to seamlessly integrate with the existing hotel while improving amenities for guests and sports enthusiasts.
Aberdeen City Council has approved a public consultation on a proposed visitor levy scheme, which could take effect as early as April 2027. If implemented, the 7% levy would generate funds for local economic development, benefiting both visitors and residents. The levy would apply to various accommodation types, including hotels, guesthouses, and campsites. While the hotel industry initially opposed the legislation, stakeholders now aim to collaborate with the council to ensure the funds are effectively reinvested to support tourism and economic growth in Aberdeen.
