Irish hotel group Dalata has published its latest trading update, in which it confirmed plans to open a further seven properties across the UK and Ireland by May next year.
Dalata will open its first property in Glasgow next month – a 300-room property under the group’s Maldron brand – followed by a further six hotels in Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin between November this year and May 2022.
But a previously announced Maldron property in Birmingham will now not proceed, “as the developer has encountered difficulties in relation to the site”.
The group’s portfolio currently consists of 29 owned hotels, 12 leased properties and three management contracts, with a total of 9,261 bedrooms, and around 3,000 rooms set to be added over the next three years across 12 new hotels.
In 2019 Dalata announced plans for the first London property under it Maldron Hotels brand. At the time Maldron Hotel Shoreditch London was expected to open in 2022.
The group reported a loss after tax of €100.7 million for the full year 2020, but “expects to be close to break-even at Adjusted EBITDA for the first six months of 2021”.
“I am delighted that our hotels have fully re-opened to the general public,” said CEO Designate Dermot Crowley. “Our strategy of retaining our core teams throughout the pandemic has proved to be very beneficial. We have experienced teams in place who have serviced essential business during lockdown and have recently managed the re-opening of our hotels to all guests in a very safe manner.”
“Despite the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to focus on protecting what is critical to Dalata’s long-term success. Our people are enthusiastic and engaged, our balance sheet and financial position remain robust, we have maintained communications with our customers, and we have strong partnerships with the institutional landlords who are fundamental to our growth strategy.”
“Covid-19 continues to have a very significant impact on the hospitality industry. I remain encouraged by the pace of the vaccine rollout in both the UK and Ireland but am also aware of the threats posed by the uncertainty surrounding the potential impact of the Delta variant. In Ireland, international travel for non-essential reasons is currently expected to resume from 19 July. I look forward to welcoming international guests back to our hotels in the not-too-distant future.
dalatahotelgroup.com
