Accor picks UK for hotel development
Accor has started a significant expansion in the UK this year with eight hotels opening and a total of 2,217 bedrooms under construction. The French hotel group plans to have 91 hotels in the UK by the end of 2004.
The openings range across its economy, mid-price and luxury brands, but focus on the mid-market. The group is set to open one Etap, three Ibis hotels, three Novotels and one Sofitel this year.
Development director of Accor UK economy hotels, Philippe Baretaud, said: "If you look at the Accor network in Europe, the UK presence is weaker, which is not in line with its market importance. We are pursuing intensive development here."
The group is similarly expanding in Spain.
A further three British deals have gone through and are now awaiting planning approval. They are for a 104-bedroom Ibis in Dundee, a 160-bedroom Ibis in West Street, Leeds, and a 151-bedroom Novotel in Greenwich, London. by Ben Walker
Accor's schedule for hotel openings in the UK
| Area | No of bedrooms/hotel type | Date opening |
| London City Airport | 81-bedroom Etap | March 2002 |
| Manchester | 164-bedroom Novotel | March 2002 |
| Northampton | 151-bedroom Ibis | April 2002 |
| London, St James | 186-bedroom Sofitel | May 2002 |
| Whitehall, Leeds | 196-bedroom Novotel | June 2002 |
| Milton Keynes | 124-bedroom Novotel | July 2002 |
| July 2002 | Hull 106-bedroom Ibis | October 2002 |
| Wembley, London | 210-bedroom Ibis | September 2002 |
| Southwark, London | 181-bedroom Novotel | January 2003 |
| Carlisle | 102-bedroom Ibis | June 2003 |
| Edinburgh | 181-bedroom Novotel | June 2003 |
| Docklands, London | 278-bedroom Ibis | March 2004 |
| Docklands, London | 257-bedroom Novotel | March 2004 |
