Accor set to boost UK presence

Accor's presence in the UK hotel market is set for a major boost this year with eight hotels opening and a total of 2,217 bedrooms under construction. The France-based 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 chains, but focus on the mid-market. The group is set to open one Etap, three Ibis hotels, three Novotels and one Sofitel within the year.

Philippe Baretaud, development director of Accor UK economy hotels, said: "If you look at the Accor network in Europe, unlike France and Germany, the UK presence is weaker, which is not in line with its market importance. We are pursuing intensive development here."

A further three deals are 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.

The full list of Accor's opening schedule in the UK is:

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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 Leeds, Whitehall, 196-bedroom Novotel, June 2002 Milton Keynes, 124-bedroom Novotel, July 2002 Hull, 106-bedroom Ibis, October 2002 London, Wembley, 210-bedroom Ibis, September 2002 London, Southwark, 181-bedroom Novotel, January 2003 Carlisle, 102-bedroom Ibis, June 2003 Edinburgh, 181-bedroom Novotel, June 2003 London Docklands, a 278- bedroom Ibis and a 257-bedroom Novotel, March 2004