Bulldog attacks hotel market with new name
Bulldog Hotel Group has rebranded as the Coaching Inn Group, underlining its ambition to become the leading operator of regional inns in the country.
The independent company, which launched in 2007, has a turnover of more than £10m and opened its eighth site, in Welshpool, Powys, in April. Its aim is to grow the portfolio to at least 14 inns within four years. Based in Boston, Lincolnshire, the company has properties in market towns in Yorkshire, Leicester, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, Northampton and County Durham.
The group announced its £20m expansion plans in January, when property investment company Commer Group took a 20% stake in the business for an undisclosed sum. This was followed in March by an investment of £4.5m from the Business Growth Fund.
Founder and managing director Kevin Charity commented: "Our aim is to be the number one operator of regional inns in the country and the name-change is the natural next step for us, giving the market a very clear signal as to our sector leadership ambitions."
He added: "We have a clear strategy for acquiring high-quality coaching inns in busy market towns and revitalising them in order to compete against a backdrop of ever-improving F&B and accommodation offers across the UK."
Bulldog also recently announced the appointment of restaurateur Andrew Guy as non-executive chairman. He brings more than 30 years' experience of operating pub and restaurant chains across Europe and the US, including Ed's Easy Diner and Frankie & Benny's.
This year, the company was named one of the London Stock Exchange Group's 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain.
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