LEISURE group De Vere said yesterday it was planning to accelerate the expansion of its mid-market village hotels as it capitalises on a recovery in the hotels market.
The group, which owns Slaley Hall hotel and golf course in Northumberland, and a Village Hotel in Tyne and Wear, said it also planned to offer more rooms at its existing estate.
Talks were taking place to manage a string of golf courses in Europe to take advantage of the trend for UK golfers to travel abroad to play. The De Vere brand is already synonymous with leading UK golf courses, such as The Belfry, in Warwickshire, Slaley Hall and Loch Lomond.
De Vere posted a 14.7 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £45.6m for the year to September 25, with turnover rising 3.1 per cent to £321.8m.
The group benefited from a recovery in the hotels market, particularly in London.
Like-for-like turnover from hotels rose three per cent to £187.9m, while margins improved due to tight cost control of its food and drink.
As well as 21 hotels, De Vere operates 15 health and fitness clubs trading as Greens, 13 Village leisure clubs and distillers G&J Greenall.
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