News Summary
News summary
HLL Humberts Leisure
News summary:
15/06/2009
Bristol City in talks over stadium funding
A new supermarket development on the site of the Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol could help to fund Bristol City Football Club’s (BCFC) new 30,000-seat venue planned for the outskirts of the city.
The club has confirmed that it is in talks with supermarket giant Tesco over the proposals, which are meant to ensure the Football League Championship outfit receives the maximum value for the site in order to finance the new stadium scheme.
It comes as BCFC group chief executive, Colin Sexstone, announced that the new stadium, which will be built on a 42-acre (17 hectare) site near the Long Ashton park and ride facility, will be prepared to form part of England’s bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
Source: Leisure Opportunities 29/05/2009
Lingfield Park set for 2010 opening
The £29m redevelopment of Lingfield Park racecourse in Surrey is on track for completion next year, following its recent topping out ceremony and the appointment of a general manager for the venue’s new hotel.
The development, which started in May 2008, includes a four-star 116-bedroom hotel financed through a franchise agreement with Marriott International, a golf clubhouse to complement a new 18-hole golf course with a leisure club and spa. It has also included enhancements to the racecourse such as a new stable staff lodge, redesigned stables and veterinary unit along with a horsebox park and entrance.
Source: Leisure Opportunities 9/06/2009
SUFC stadium to include casino
Southend United Football Club (SUFC) has announced that it is planning to include a casino as part of a new 22-000 seat stadium development at Fossetts Farm in Essex.
According to the Southend Echo newspaper, SUFC chair Ron Martin said that the proposed football academy would not be viable unless the casino, which is set to be operated by Rank Group, was included in the plans.
Source: Leisure Opportunities 9/06/2009
Leisure operators to benefit from summer savings
More than 40 pre cent of British people are planning on spending the money saved on bills during the summer on leisure activities, according to a new report by National Savings and Investments (NS&I).
The results of the Quarterly Savings Survey follows a report by Visit Britain, which predicted that the weak pound could see five million more domestic holidays being booked this summer, as well as increased numbers of overseas visitors.
Source: Leisure Opportunities 9/06/2009
Business optimism brings first sign of hospitality recovery
The first signs that the hospitality industry might be recovering from the worst of the recession arrived this week as a survey revealed that confidence of the sector had unexpectedly risen.
The KPMG European Business Outlook report, which questions 200 hotels and restaurant operators across Europe on a six-monthly basis, revealed that more than a third expected growth in their volumes of business activity over the next 12 months, compared with 22% forecasting declines.
£20m St Mellion revamp complete
Crown Golf has unveiled a new 80-bedroom hotel at the St Mellion international Resort near Saltash, Cornwall, following the completion of a £20m redevelopment project at the venue.
Facilities at the hotel include the Aero Leisure and Spa complex, which incorporates three swimming pools, a sauna, a steam room, a spa pool and a fitness suite equipped with more than 40-stations of cardiovascular machines and free weights.
Source: Leisure Opportunities 11/06/2009
Merchant Inns begin offering spa treatments
The UK-based Merchant Inns pub company has launched a new spa concept called Pint-Sized Pampering.
Based around the launch of The Spa Treatment Rooms at the group’s The Lambert Arms property in the Chiltern Hills near Oxford, the spa treatments will be offered as part of an overnight spa break at the pub.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 12/06/2009/2009
London hoteliers report mixed results
Hoteliers in London have reported a 0.9 per cent increase in average room occupancy during April compared with the same period last year, according to new figures from PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.
However, the statistics revealed that room rate decreased by 10.6 per cent to £123.85 at hotels across the capital. Meanwhile regional hotels have reported a sharp decline in the three main performance indicators after reporting double digit decreases in room rate, occupancy and yield as a result of recession.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 12/06/2009
Worcestershire CCC plans new hotel
Premier Inn, the budget hotel chain, has agreed a deal with Worcestershire County Cricket Club (WCCC) to build a new hotel as part of the redevelopment of the New Road ground.
The 122-room property will form part of the second phase of the club’s plans to improve and expand its home ground.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 06/2009
Camelot theme park reopens
Camelot Theme Park in Charnock Richard, Lancashire, has reopened just two months after its owner, Prime Resorts, went into administration. The park was acquired by The Story Group and has been leased to Knights Leisure, a newly-formed group led by the former chief executive of Prime Resorts, Roy Page. The park will now remain open for the summer season until 6 September.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 9-22/06/2009