Feld buys back into hotel trade
Robert Feld, former managing director of Resort Hotels, will tomorrow announce his return to the hotel industry with a deal to take over the Munster Arms Hotel close to Birmingham's NEC.
Mr Feld's new company, the Aubrey Business Group, has signed a 20-year lease with an option to buy the property in a joint venture with the fledgling Ashdown Hotels & Leisure, founded by former Resort operations director John Levis.
The three-year-old Munster Arms, which is owned by a local firm of builders, is a purpose-built 41-bedroom hotel with a bar, restaurant and two function rooms.
Mr Feld said the intention was to reposition the hotel to target the corporate and leisure markets with the construction of a conference and training centre and completion of a part-built health and leisure club.
As part of that process the hotel will be relaunched with a yet-to-be-decided name, though Munster Arms will be retained for the popular bar operation.
Mr Feld, who continues to refute fraud allegations in connection with the collapse of Resort, said further joint ventures with Mr Levis were a possibility.
The Aubrey Business Group also operates the Eaton Garden restaurant in Hove, East Sussex, and the Lazy Days health and fitness club opposite the Royal Pavilion in nearby Brighton.
