Croft ready for further growth

Improved trading conditions have encouraged York-based Croft Hotels to invest heavily in its estate and expand its portfolio, according to group general manager Stephen Broome.

This month, Croft embarks on the second phase of a £1m refurbishment of its largest property, the 104-bedroom Grange Park Hotel in Hull.

Renovation of the hotel's conference and banqueting facilities, which have a capacity of 550, were completed in July. Work is under way on its restaurant and this will be followed by an upgrade of its leisure centre, Club Tamarisk, in December.

"This work is a sign of the recovery of our profitability. It was the main focus of our capital investment in the past year," said Mr Broome.

Future plans for the group include expanding the network of properties, either through acquisition or by persuading hotels to come under the Croft marketing umbrella as an associate.

The first indications of expansion came in July this year when the 60-bedroom Grosvenor House Hotel at Stratford-upon-Avon became an associate of Croft, bringing the group's portfolio to six company-owned hotels and three associates.

Croft was currently in negotiations with another potential associate, revealed Mr Broome.