Jurys aims to expand hotel chain in London
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JURYS INNS is in talks to add two new budget hotels in central London to its chain and has decided to build a 150-bed extension to its Islington property in the city.
But the chain, which was acquired by Quinlan Private for €1.166 million in 2007, has shelved plans to expand into central and eastern Europe until there is an economic recovery in the region.
Speaking exclusively to The Irish Times this week, John Brennan, group chief executive of Jurys Inns, said: “We’re very hopeful of being able to secure two additional sites in London in prime locations for Jurys Inns.”
Mr Brennan suggested that these properties would involve conversions from offices and would see Jurys Inns operate them on a leasehold basis. He hopes the deals will probably come to fruition in the next six to 12 months.
Jurys Inns has five hotels in London – at Chelsea, Croydon, Heathrow, Islington and Watford.
The Islington property, which already has 387 rooms, is to get a 150-bed expansion.
“We were running at nearly 90 per cent occupancy in Islington last year,” he said.
Mr Brennan said the London market has outperformed most other cities in the economic downturn. “The revpar has been down very modestly, if at all,” he said.
