Under new management
Cocos turns 18
A new Italian restaurant, Apertivo 18, has opened in central Manchester. On the site of the former Cocos restaurant in Fountain Street, the newcomer also features a Cichetti bar selling antipasti. Apertivo 18 is under the same ownership as Cocos.
Cranage Hall opens
Hayley Conference Centres has opened a new venue in Cheshire. Cranage Hall, a restored Grade II-listed building set in 20 acres of parkland, offers 29 meeting rooms and 120 bedrooms, plus a health and leisure spa. The £10m centre is the fourth in the group portfolio.
Royal to Regency
Hotelier Malcolm McKee has bought the 50-bedroom Royal Hotel York in Redcar from Bass for more than £500,000. The hotel, to be renamed the Regency, is under renovation and will reopen to four-star standard.
GM gets express
Gardner Merchant has gained a new catering contract with Express Dairies Ingredients in York. The one-year contract was won from Sutcliffe.
Gone into the garden
David Oates and his wife have bought the 11-bedroom Garden House hotel, on the fringe of Kendal in Cumbria, from Mr and Mrs Norman Stainton for an undisclosed sum. Asking price for the two-star hotel was £425,000, and the sale was made by Christie & Co. The buyers previously owned Sparth House hotel in Malham, North Yorkshire.
