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Hotels in Cheshire to invest £8 million following positive 2014

Hotels in Cheshire East saw rises in occupancy and revenues last year, according a survey by STR Global which found that occupancy rose by 4.3% to 74% while the average daily room rate rose to £56.50 in 2014 compared with £53 in 2013.

The improving market has encouraged hotel owners to invest in additional bedrooms and facilities.

The Best Western Pinewood on Wilmslow Hotel has invested £1.4 million in a refurbishment programme during 2014, adding 12 en-suite bedrooms, a new 85-seat restaurant, kitchens and rooms for conferences and banqueting.

The weddings market and business tourism have been particularly important in helping the Borough’s hotel operators fill their rooms.

chief executive officer of Marketing Cheshire, Katrina Michel, said: “Businesses in the hospitality sector have told us about plans for investment over the next 18 months, which are worth more than £8 million.

“Events such as Rewind North, the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park and the Cheshire and Nantwich shows have all helped to attract more people to discover the delights of Cheshire.

“Hotel operators are reaping the benefits of this and, together with the strong growth of the weddings market and a rise in business tourism, it has made many of them realise that now is the time to invest for the future.”

Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Michael Jones, said: “It is good to see that Cheshire East’s occupancy rate is rising faster than other parts of Cheshire and faster even than Manchester and York.

“It reflects the quality of Cheshire East’s location as a beautiful place to stay and a great place to do business.

“Our best hotels provide excellent service, good food and comfortable, competitively priced accommodation and we need more of them.

“We hope the success of our hotel and hospitality businesses during 2013, as demonstrated in this authoritative survey, will encourage more operators to invest in improved facilities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .