Jurys inns cash in on market confidence
Dublin-based Jurys Hotel Group hopes to exploit buoyant market conditions in both the UK and Eire through its opening of three new inns, the company said last week.
Construction work on the 168-bedroom Jurys Inn in Islington, north London, is expected to start in April with completion scheduled for May 1998.
Also in April, the 190-bedroom Jurys Belfast Inn is due to open. And in May, Jurys will open a 151-bedroom inn at Mount Kennett in Limerick city.
The healthy trading conditions, particularly in the Irish Republic, helped pre-tax profits to grow 39% to IR£7.92m (£7.82m) in the six months ended 31 October 1996. Turnover improved 17% to IR£29.3m (£29m).
"Our four UK hotels performed well, but they're not yet performing as well as our Irish properties," said managing director Peter Malone.
Room yield was up 9% during the period and occupancy was said to have approached 80% in the 16 hotels in the group.
Jurys has grown rapidly - it had just three properties in 1990 - and plans to keep expanding. Mr Malone said a group acquisition might be considered. "Our gearing is low at 9% and we can move fast if we find the right opportunity," he added.