Property

Jurys looks at UK

Dublin-based Jurys Hotel Group is considering introducing its budget Jurys Inns to the UK, following completion of its third property in Ireland.

At last week's official opening of the Jurys Cork Inn, chairman Walter Beatty said: "It is unlikely the group will expand the number of locations in Ireland. The group may consider establishing inns in the UK, but not in the short- to medium-term."

The latest property, which is located in the heart of Cork City, cost IR£5.6m to build and rooms cost IR£39 a night. It has 133 bedrooms, a restaurant and pub.

Portman refit

London's 279-bedroom SAS Portman Hotel has completed a six-month-long refurbishment project costing £6m.

Bedrooms have been redesigned to one of four styles - Viking, Oriental, British or Classic, and an informal 82-seat restaurant offering international cuisine has been created called the Portman Corner.

Quay concept

Whitbread has completed a £2m leisure development at Discovery Quay in Dundee, comprising a 40-bedroom Travel Inn and a Brewers Fayre pub-restaurant.

The project forms part of a £300m expansion programme by Whitbread as the brewer seeks to develop up to 130 new sites for hotels, restaurants and pubs in the current financial year.

Extended forge

Cathy and Clive Roberts, owners for the past six years of the Old Forge in Storrington, West Sussex, have bought an adjoining property with a view to extending the restaurant's capacity and facilities.