Leeds' hotels thread

[Suburban Knight]

It's the Aspire building behind

[BannockBurnt]

Originally Posted by harryd

Its from one of the old Cloth Halls I believe

Indeed. From the fourth White Cloth Hall which formerly stood on the site. As it says above.

[cmj]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

Good news to see work to restore the Metropole Hotel which s probably one of the better looking hotels in the city centre. Is there any prospect of it seeing an upgrade to 5 star status perhaps from 4 star?

I stayed in the Metropole on my first visit to Leeds in around 2003/4. It had a very 'tired' feel to it then, but it's in a great location with a really good building.

[Val Verde]

Article in today's YEP that room income for hotels in Leeds has dropped by 11.8% between January and June compared with the same period in 2008 although occupancy only went down by 1.9% in June 2009 compared with June 2008. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...tel.5556731.jp

Rates down as Leeds hotel business feels pinch

15 August 2009
By Paul Robinson
BUSINESS in the Leeds hotel trade has got definite room for improvement, according to figures released today.
Accountancy and business advice service PKF says room-related income at hotels in the city dropped 11.8 per cent between January and June this year compared to the same period in 2008.

Occupancy was down 4.9 per cent while there was a 7.3 per cent fall in average room price from £71.37 to £66.19.

The year-on-year picture, however, is slightly more encouraging.

PKF says occupancy rates in June were down on the same month in 2008 – but the size of the fall, to 73.9 per cent, was a comparatively minor 1.9 per cent.

Mark Lister, a partner at PKF, said: "Hoteliers across the region have certainly had a difficult year so far, but there are some signs to suggest that the industry's sufferings have started to slow down.

"Most hoteliers, though, are struggling to maintain room rates and this is ultimately depressing room yields for the time being."

Leeds Hotels Association chairman Gordon Jackson acknowledged that the local meetings and conference market was down year-on-year.

He said, though, that hotels in the city were battling the recession with "great deals and competitive rates".

Boost

Mr Jackson also said the extra business generated by the recent Ashes Test at Headingley Carnegie stadium had given the city's hoteliers a welcome boost.

Today's figures come as work continues on a number of hotel projects in Leeds.

As previously reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United have got planning permission for a 350-room complex at the corner of their Elland Road football ground's South and East stands.

Developers Oxford GB have also secured approval for their £31m Portland Crescent Hotel, in the city centre's civic quarter, close to Leeds Metropolitan University's new Rose Bowl site.

Bosses at the Queens Hotel, meanwhile, recently unveiled plans for a new six-storey wing to the rear of their landmark City Square building.

Well it is certainly an inevitable result of this current recession and would all city hotels manage to remain viable in this downturn or would there be casualties down the line (for hotels which fail to compete against stronger competition) especially with hotels opening such as the City Inn, the Portland Crescent Hotel and the expansion for the Queens?

On another note is the Ellington Hotel on York Place (which only opened last year) still open or has that closed down and I take it the former Crispin Lofts building on the corner of North Street and New York Road which was also meant to be converted into a hotel (and many years ago into apartments) before being cancelled when the developers went under has nothing planned for it?

Has the new Roomz hotel on Swinegate opened yet?

[STOPGO]

Great restaurant review in todays Metro for the City Cafe at City Inn, the review also mentioned the Skylounge on the 13th floor with its panoramic views of the city skyline.

[STOPGO]

Called in today at the City Inn, and paid a visit to the Sky Lounge. I must say it lived up to expectation, the bar and lounge certainly had the wow factor. A full length balcony and a room length window facing south, fantastic views of B.W.P. South Leeds Sports Stadium and Elland Road. The weather was unkind so balcony unused, I sat on the opposite side near the bar, where a huge window had views of the city centre and trains coming and going. I think it was just possible to pick out the University, Town Hall, and Civic Hall more easier to spot. I was sat down so had my eye on the train I needed to catch. One tip I wouldn't order a meal there just yet, there was only about a dozen people in and only half eating, yet the table of four next to me had been waiting 45 minutes for their burger and fries.

[Racheleb2009]

These are not owned by the Pantin Group and are owed by Henry Selwyn Cohen and Maurice Cohen his father. The Company is Emco Estates used to be based at Emco House behind Crispin building and now based in Harewood. RBS have taken back the money that was borrowed from them a few years ago. David Pantin was instrumental in getting this funding oringinally. He was merely employed to get these three properties up and running and working cost efficiently.

All the properties were on business mortgages. I wonder what has happened to all the people who had originally bought apartments at Crispin did they get back their deposits!!!!!. I know Paul E Nathan-Geary the Property Director for Emco Estates had a lot of dealings with this. Henry Selwyn Cohen is the sole director and company secretary Paul Geary also deals with White Cloth Hall redevelopment all the dilapidated buildings around this area are owned by the Cohens on yet another mortgage.

No doubt Maurice Cohen will be still at the head of the company at nearly 80 years of age. A decent and honest man I have to say but his son was blinded and influenced by other people easily.

[Val Verde]

Originally Posted by Racheleb2009

These are not owned by the Pantin Group and are owed by Henry Selwyn Cohen and Maurice Cohen his father. The Company is Emco Estates used to be based at Emco House behind Crispin building and now based in Harewood. RBS have taken back the money that was borrowed from them a few years ago. David Pantin was instrumental in getting this funding oringinally. He was merely employed to get these three properties up and running and working cost efficiently.

All the properties were on business mortgages. I wonder what has happened to all the people who had originally bought apartments at Crispin did they get back their deposits!!!!!. I know Paul E Nathan-Geary the Property Director for Emco Estates had a lot of dealings with this. Henry Selwyn Cohen is the sole director and company secretary Paul Geary also deals with White Cloth Hall redevelopment all the dilapidated buildings around this area are owned by the Cohens on yet another mortgage.

No doubt Maurice Cohen will be still at the head of the company at nearly 80 years of age. A decent and honest man I have to say but his son was blinded and influenced by other people easily.

Welcome to this forum Rachel. So I take it you were involved with Holbeck / Emco Estates? Was it simply a company expanding too quickly at a time of recession which resulted in their demise (particularly with it's complicated business structure with different companies owning different parts of the hotels)? Do you have any knowledge in whats happening to the buildings which Emco Estates had once owned (Floridita, White Cloth Hall and the Crispin and Ellington hotels)?

On another note in something different I noticed that the Woodlands Hotel in Gildersome has a planning application in for a heli-pad. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...ave.5711796.jp http://www.tomahawkhotels.co.uk/home.aspx?h=3

Leeds hotel planning to have helipad

07 October 2009
A helicopter landing area is being planned for the Woodlands Hotel in Gildersome.
Tomahawk Holdings Ltd has applied to Leeds City Council's planning department for the 10m diameter level, reinforced concrete helipad, set in a field south of the Gelderd Road Hotel.

There would be a concrete path leading to the boundary fence, a new gate and a stone flagged walkway would lead from the helipad to the hotel grounds.

[Racheleb2009]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

Welcome to this forum Rachel. So I take it you were involved with Holbeck / Emco Estates? Was it simply a company expanding too quickly at a time of recession which resulted in their demise (particularly with it's complicated business structure with different companies owning different parts of the hotels)? Do you have any knowledge in whats happening to the buildings which Emco Estates had once owned (Floridita, White Cloth Hall and the Crispin and Ellington hotels)?

On another note in something different I noticed that the Woodlands Hotel in Gildersome has a planning application in for a heli-pad. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...ave.5711796.jp http://www.tomahawkhotels.co.uk/home.aspx?h=3

simply, no one could make a proper decision there were many arguments about what should and shouldnt be done with all sites Henry Cohen was the only Director and company secretary. He had a property director called Paul Geary and David Pantin was a joint venture partner and FY R Project Management were involved. I am suprised The Ellington ever got finished off. there were always arguments about what should be done etc all properties were highly mortgaged, land values have slumped. RBS recalled the funding. Which was got around 2/3 years ago pre recession. I know Holbeck Estates etc have been liquidated as its on the internet and as far as I am aware there is a restructure going on by a Insolvency company in Manchester. Everything was very adventurous for people with little property development experience P E Geary did the property development and Henry Cohen was completely reliant on his expertise in this field = White Cloth Hall would have been outstanding. The area around the White Cloth Hall was going to be done by some way of a english heritage grant although the properties around Whitecloth hall are dilapidated and were purchased by way of mortgage and are in danger of collapse. Everything was very adventurous there was not a good relationship with pantin and the cohens at all daily I worked within the extended group but due to the demise of this I no longer work there I have obtained a job in retail. Crispin has had miriard of problems over the eight years or more previously it was going to be apartments all apartments sold then they changed there mind and wanted it to be a plus 6 star hotel there was a lot anger from residents opposite and from people who were owed deposits the cohens just changed their minds Paul geary was the face of Crispin at the time and dealt with all the property development. As I said before Henry cohen was totally reliant on Paul geary doing his job. David pantin and henry cohen wanted a cuban club and it was david pantin that went along with this venture although none of this is his fault looks like the land values slumped as its all that side that has nose dived all on bank funding and mortgages but the funding was got prior to the recession. The agreement that Pantin had with the cohens has run out and pantin no longer has anything to do with anything and henry cohen has taken the brunt of everything. I can remember his father not being happy about going into property development but they had gone in too far to get out and paul geary was adament it would make a lot of money but nothing has been done. what a mess. What will happen now is up to the involvency practitioner in manchester I know a buyer was being sought for the Ellington but thats all I know. White cloth hall area around which has been purchased by the cohens may drop down before anything gets done as its on the on risk register now. There was also holbleck urban village which has also been stopped. a lot was in the evening post.

[aviator]

The first bit of good news for hotels in ages (from the Business Desk):

Former hotel favourite bought out of administration
3rd November 2009

By Anastasia Weiner - Business Correspondent

LEEDS hotel Haley's has been bought out of administration by leisure entrepreneur Gordon Jowett for an undisclosed sum. Mr Jowett, who already owns Corn Mill Lodge Hotel near Bramley, will now roll out an investment programme to help modernise both the country house hotel and its restaurant.

The 26 room Headlingley hotel was placed into administration with Baker Tilly in April after a significant fall in occupancy levels. Phil Pierce, joint administrator and restructuring and recovery partner at the Leeds office of Baker Tilly, said: "Haley's was once recognised as one of Leeds' best boutique hotels, however in recent years it has suffered from a lack of investment and poor management.

"Gordon Jowett has built up a strong reputation for Corn Mill Lodge Hotel and clearly understands Yorkshire's hospitality sector very well. We're confident he can realise his plans and put Haley's back on the map."

Commenting on the acquisition Mr Jowett said: "Haley's is well-known to me and I firmly believe that with the right level of management and investment, it can earn back its reputation for high quality accommodation and cuisine.

"The hotel is located just outside Leeds city centre and benefits from the cricket and university graduation trade in the summer. It has huge potential and complements my other hotel in Pudsey extremely well."

Colliers Robert Barry (CRB) was appointed to market the hotel while Licensed Solutions was engaged to carry out the trading of the hotel during the sales process.

[aviator]

An interesting piece from Building magazine about the prospects for hotels in the UK. It's quite a long article which you can read in full here. In the meantime, here's an abbreviated version:

Inn recovery: The hotels market

11 December 2009

By Emily Wright

Just nine months ago, it looked likely that the UK hotels market would be on its knees for a while. There were predictions that revenue per available room would fall by as much as 45% over the year, and everyone thought that commissioning new construction work would therefore be the last thing on operators’ minds.

But as we approach the end of 2009, things are looking quite different. The slump in the value of the pound last year made the UK an attractive destination, which meant that occupancy levels held up well. As a result, hotel operators’ confidence has been rising, and developers and investors are looking at a healthier market than anyone dared hope for, and they are looking to build more capacity while land and labour are cheap. Barbour ABI’s statistics show that 360 hotels are scheduled to begin in 2012 and market research group Mintel has forecast that by 2013 the UK hotel market will be worth £13bn, considerably higher than its pre-slump peak of £11.2bn in 2007.

What is, in part, driving the demand is that the UK, and London in particular, is becoming popular with private and foreign investors in the hotel industry, and they are supplying the capital that the banks are not. An STR Global Construction Pipeline Report, released in September, identifies London as Europe’s second most active city, after Berlin, for hotel development, with 3,768 rooms in the pipeline and occupancy levels resilient at 79%. The report also shows that UK room rates have been stable compared with the rest of the world, falling by just 1% from the second to the third quarter of 2009.
All of this has been instrumental in attracting overseas investment. “There are hotel operators, mainly from Asia, Russia and the US who are desperate for flagship hotels here,” says a senior industry source. “They want properties in Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds, but London is the mecca......


There are also positive signs at the luxury end of the market. Indeed, a Pricewaterhouse Coopers report on UK hotels in 2009 commented: “There is still plenty of stylish new hotels planned or recently opened and more could be likely.”

Securing funding remains the biggest problem. The key for success is the old chestnut: a great location. Smout of GB Building Solutions says his company is working on two upmarket schemes, the Great Northern Hotel at King’s Cross and a £30m luxury hotel in the centre of Leeds. “Locations need to be first rate to secure funding: in city centres or near sports venues, arenas or universities.”

[Val Verde]

The Queens Hotel is having a facelift to see the addition of several top floor executive suites. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...get.5933929.jp

Leeds: Queens Hotel to get facelift


The Queens Hotel.

Published Date: 23 December 2009
It is one of Leeds's best known – and most prestigious – hotels and has entertained more celebrities than your average Australian jungle.
Now, 150 years after the first hotel was imagined on the site, the Queens Hotel is about to get another facelift.

Howard Williamson reports...

It is possibly the best-known landmark in Leeds, not to mention one of the biggest.

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The building which overlooks City Square is not the first to have been built there.

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It was 150 years ago that a hotel on the site was first imagined: August, 1858 to be precise, when plans were drawn up by the Midland Railway Company for a hotel above the train station.

That building was torn down in 1936 to make way for the imposing 217-room residence we see today. Now, the grade II listed building is due to get another revamp in the form of several top floor executive suites.

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It's the kind of thing to lure cash-rich business folk and holidaymakers and a signal to the world that Leeds can compete in the same league as other cities. It's also the kind of thing likely to impress World Cup organisers, so the timing could not be better, seeing as Leeds is in the running to stage a World Cup football match.

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The original hotel opened in 1863 and cost £50,000 to build.
It quickly became a landmark and was extended, with new wings being added in 1867 and 1898.

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The Midland Railway was taken over by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway which decided to demolish the original Queens and build a modern one in its place.

The old hotel was closed in August 1935 with the exception of a portion which was set aside to continue operations during rebuilding.

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The new one was officially opened on November 12, 1937, by the Princess Royal and Lord Harewood, who were the first to sign the hotel register. The building quickly became the defining architectural feature of the city.

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When it first opened, prices were 10s 6d for a single room with a bath, up to 50s for a suite accommodating two people. It was also possible to hire a servant for the princely sum of 14s per day.

The hotel was constructed of 50,000 tonnes of materials including 2m bricks and 40,000 cubic feet of Portland stone. Some five miles of heating pipes were laid.

Part of the foundation rests on concrete set in the bed of an old goit (or tunnel) which was used to carry water from the River Aire to nearby mills.

This tunnel, disused for many years, presented special problems for engineers who filled up the river end of the goit with concrete.
The Queens now has 217 rooms. It was acquired in 2003 by Q Hotels who gave it a £10m makeover.

The development of the city's first dedicated executive floor will begin on January 4 and should take 12 weeks to complete, with a final bill of £500,000, which, incidentally, is what it cost to build the Queens Hotel in 1937.

The 20 existing rooms on the top floor will be reduced to 18, two of which will boast their own terraces. "Guests will be able to drink al fresco on warm summer evenings and view the city landscape," said general manager David Kanarens.

"This executive floor is what you get in top international hotels," he went on. "It offers comfort and convenience with beautiful rooms overlooking the skyline.

"Guests will be able to work in comfort in their rooms and not need to enter any other part of the hotel if they wish. The rooms will offer something a little bit special, more space and more privacy. Guests will be able to do things at their own pace.

"The Queens has long been recognised for its impressive service to business-men and the new facilities will streng-then Leeds as a business destination."

Although the executive rooms are clearly attractive to businessmen, there is strong demand, too, from leisure users, who will be attracted to its exclusivity. Prices start from £165 a day.

The rooms will be decorated in rich red tones and will have a modern art deco look, complementing the rest of the hotel.

Mr Kanarens said the hotel would be well placed to benefit if England is awarded the 2018 World Cup. The city has already been chosen as a venue for matches.

"Facilities like this are what FIFA will be looking for," he said.

"Our rooms have already been rated four-star by the AA," he said. "So does this make us a five-star hotel?"

The refurbishment will involve only a small amount of demolition which will take place when guests are not around. Lifts will be isolated so that guests cannot inadvertently wander into the construction area.

What happened to the plans to construct additional rooms by building a new wing to the rear of the Queens which I read back in August and is on this thread? Do any other city centre hotels have any plans for re-fits no doubt to improve competitveness against other hotels that have or will open in Leeds?

Also the Radisson SAS hotel in The Light has been rebranded as a Radisson Blu since Scandinavian Airlines System sold their share in hotel operations which traded under their brand name SAS.

[cnosni]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

The Queens Hotel is having a facelift to see the addition of several top floor executive suites. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...get.5933929.jp



What happened to the plans to construct additional rooms by building a new wing to the rear of the Queens which I read back in August and is on this thread? Do any other city centre hotels have any plans for re-fits no doubt to improve competitveness against other hotels that have or will open in Leeds?

Also the Radisson SAS hotel in The Light has been rebranded as a Radisson Blu since Scandinavian Airlines System sold their share in hotel operations which traded under their brand name SAS.

I did mention a while back that the proposed expansion is not to the rear but to the side,into what is Aire Street offices.

There is only one tenant left there,occupying about a quarter of a floor.
This is the management offices for Leeds East Coast (ex National Excuse)

It look sa though they will be there for a while so the propsed expansion,which wes meant to provide teh hotle facilities to attain 5 star status,is delayed by the East Coast presence.

As yet there are no plans for the East Coast lot to relocate,that i know of anyway.

[Leeds No.1]

If the City House renovation got underway it would provide an opportunity for East Coast to relocate.

[Leeds No.1]

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...ist.5998384.jp
Yorkshire tops UK hotels list
20 January 2010

A converted grade-one listed building in Yorkshire has topped the list of the 25 best UK hotels voted for by travellers around the world.

Rudding Park, near Harrogate, has been named the top British hotel with travellers praising its "faultless service". It was also sixth in the best luxury hotels of the world list, as voted for by travellers for annual awards organised by travel company TripAdvisor.

Two other Yorkshire hotels also placed in the list - The Waverley in Whitby, North Yorkshire, achieved the number 13 position and Broom House in Whitby, North Yorkshire, was awarded the number 23 position on the list.

Second was the Manor Coach House in Worcester, which also came second in Europe's best bargain hotel list. Third in the top 25 UK list was Boskerris Hotel in St Ives, Cornwall, with Can-y-Bae in Llandudno, North Wales, fourth.

London, however, was snubbed by world travellers as no establishment in the capital made it into the list of 25 UK hotels.

London's Soho Hotel was voted the best in the capital, while UK bed-and-breakfast establishments took places two to 10 in the top B&Bs in
Europe table, which was headed by the Casa Portagioia in Tuscany, Italy.

TripAdvisor's European marketing vice-president Alison Copus said: "With the Olympics just two years away it's worrying not to see a single London hotel in the top 25 UK list. Come 2012 all eyes will be on our capital city and London hotels are clearly going to have to raise their game to make sure they provide world-class accommodation."

[Even Flow]

Apologies if this has already been posted but the Hampton by Hilton hotel, which I believe was much rumoured for one of the new hotels at Quarry Hill, is actually now in planning for a site next to John Smeaton Viaduct. (Currently wasteland with a small derelict building) 14 storeys.

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by Even Flow

Apologies if this has already been posted but the Hampton by Hilton hotel, which I believe was much rumoured for one of the new hotels at Quarry Hill, is actually now in planning for a site next to John Smeaton Viaduct. (Currently wasteland with a small derelict building) 14 storeys.

[Val Verde]

Originally Posted by Even Flow

Apologies if this has already been posted but the Hampton by Hilton hotel, which I believe was much rumoured for one of the new hotels at Quarry Hill, is actually now in planning for a site next to John Smeaton Viaduct. (Currently wasteland with a small derelict building) 14 storeys.

Where exactly along the path of the John Smeaton viaduct is the Hampton by Hilton Hotel proposed? Is it the former (now trashed) Leeds City Council Office on the corner of Atkinson Street and South Accomodation Road where this hotel is proposed for? http://www.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8...40.98,,0,-3.83

It would certainly be quite a long way out from the rest of the city centre if that is the case although there is of course the long term potential extension of regeneration down the Aire towards Hunslet Mills which this hotel could take advantage of. Does this mean that there is no hotel proposed at Quarry Hill anymore or is there another hotel lined up for that site?

[aviator]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

Where along the path of the John Smeaton viaduct is the Hampton by Hilton Hotel proposed? Is it the former Leeds City Council Office on the corner of Atkinson Street and South Accomodation Road where this hotel is proposed for?

Yes. The outline planning application has been submitted.

Reference
09/05162/OT/S

Applicant
Cubic Acquisitions (no. 4) Ltd

Description
Outline Application for 14 storey block, comprising 150 bed hotel with 2 floors of B1 offices and basement car parking

Location
South Point
South Accommodation
Road
Hunslet
Leeds
LS10 1PX

It is, as you say, a long way out but the operators envisage most people arriving by car or taxi so presumably they're going for the business market. Business or not, I'm not sure I'd want the view from my hotel window to be of a busy viaduct.

[Val Verde]

Originally Posted by aviator

Yes. The outline planning application has been submitted.

It is, as you say, a long way out but the operators envisage most people arriving by car or taxi so presumably they're going for the business market. Business or not, I'm not sure I'd want the view from my hotel window to be of a busy viaduct.

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Presumably a case of cheaper land down in Hunslet as opposed to Quarry Hill as it is certainly a long way out of the rest of the city centre and surely there is the issue of having a hotel some considerable distance away from the railway station? However I guess there is also the precedent of the likes of the Holiday Inn Express, Ibis and Premier Inn hotels operating on Kirkstall Road a distance away from the rest of the city centre perhaps making the prospect of a hotel down in Hunslet a viable possibility (which could perhaps be developed as a way of encouraging regeneration down this end of the city towards the key long term regeneration site of Hunslet Mills).

Would it see the retention of the existing structure considering I believe it still has mobile telecommunication masts on top or will it be demolished and replaced with this new hotel?

I found these renders of the planned hotel at the following link which I guess could see the existing building retained. http://cubicacquisitions.com/index.a...&pid=34&sid=54



Could give nice views for car spotting on the viaduct perhaps.