Hotel Owner November 2018 | Page 6

MONTH IN REVIEW MONTH IN REVIEW www.hotelowner.co.uk START: THE MONTH’S NEWS BEGAN HERE ACCOLADES Ten Hill Place Hotel becomes largest independent hotel in Edinburgh Following “record” occupancy numbers, Ten Hill Place Hotel, BW Premier Collection, has expanded to become the largest independent hotel in the city. The hotel has increased its number of rooms by nearly 70% to take its total offering to 129 rooms. The hotel is adjacent to buildings owned by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and was renovated as part of the development. The expansion continues the ongoing relationship between the hotel and the college, with all profits made from the venue going back into the training of surgeons. As part of the expansion, the onsite restaurant and wine bar has also seen an increase in capacity to 150 guests. The hotel is run by the college’s commercial arm, Surgeons Quarter. Scott Mitchell, commercial director, said: “Work of this nature is always hugely exciting but it can be equally stressful too, especially in hospitality. But credit to our team and our contractors who have helped make it a smooth process, with guests, delegates and visitors benefiting as a result. “In turn, our expansion will give us a greater platform to generate the profits that go directly towards improving lives for surgical patients all around the world – including those in areas of conflict and extreme poverty. We are hopeful that the expansion will enable the hotel to deliver its full potential, furthering what we already currently provide, our food and drinks offering, assisting our charitable aims and boosting tourism and hospitality jobs in Edinburgh.” 6 www.hotelowner.co.uk 1 HOTEL OPENINGS Travelodge opens new hotel at Telford International Centre Budget hotel chain Travelodge has opened a new hotel by Telford International Centre and said it plans to open more hotels close to “popular UK event venues”. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Centre (Coventry) 10. The SEC Centre (Glasgow) Paul Harvey, managing director of property, said: “Britain’s events sector is growing from strength to strength and we are delighted to open our 567th Travelodge by Telford International Centre. With this opening we now operate hotels by the UK’s top 20 largest conference and event centres. “However due to the growing volume of events taking place across the country, there is a shortage of good quality and low cost accommodation close to event venues. Our hotels located close to conference and event centres are literally booked out as soon as event dates are released and value seeking attendees will even book into a Travelodge up to 20 miles from the event venue.” HOTEL BRANDS The property represents an investment of £6m for the landlord, Telford and Wrekin Council, and the group said it will be the “key accommodation provider” to delegates attending events at Telford International Conference Centre. The hotel chain is now also searching for a further 10 hotel sites close to the UK’s popular conference and event venues, and the expansion collectively represents an investment of £100m for third party investors and will create around 300 new jobs. Listed below are the conference and event centre locations where Travelodge is actively looking for new hotel sites: 1. ACC Liverpool & Echo Arena (Liverpool) 2. Alexandra Palace (London) 3. Bournemouth International Centre 4. Brighton Centre 5. Edinburgh International Conference Centre 6. Manchester Central Convention Complex 7. Olympia (London) 8. Queen Elizabeth Centre (London) 9. Ricoh Arena & Coventry Conference W Hotels launches record label Hotel brand W Hotels has launched its own record label, W Record, which will “support artists through every step of their development”. The group will provide recording space, video shoot locations, mixing and mastering and finally, distribution of their music via live performances, streaming and vinyl production. Tracks for W Records are recorded in ‘W Sound Suites’, the brand’s on-site recording studios, and it said four rising artists will be “stepping up to the mic” over the next year. A statement from the group read: “The W Records team and capabilities are similar to a small but powerful independent label and is in part overseen by Giant Step. Like W, Giant Step has a true passion for music and is a recognised brand within the industry having worked with many notable artists over the years including Amy Winehouse, Janelle Monae, Lady Gaga and Daft Punk.” November 2018