Bristol hotel boss: 'Recession is over'

Trusted article source icon
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Profile image for This is Bristol

This is Bristol

The boss of Bristol's newest hotel believes that the worst of the recession is over and claims the hospitality trade in the city will survive the downturn relatively unscathed.

Del Brett has been overseeing the final preparations at his Future Inn, which is next door to Cabot Circus and is confident his latest venture will be another success.

The 52-year-old's company runs two other hotels in the UK, in Cardiff and Plymouth, along with two more in his native Canada and the married father-of-one is convinced he has a recipe for success.

The Bristol-based business man claims his hotel, which opens this week, offers four-star standards at affordable rates.

He believes there is a market for his latest £20 million hotel, which has 149 bedrooms, a conference suite and a basement jazz cub.

Mr Brett, who moved to the UK from Canada just over six years ago, said: "When we came to the UK we chose to be based in the South West because we saw it as a growth sector and nothing has happened for me to change my mind.

"We cannot deny that things have ben tough but we have seen definite signs of improvement in the last three to four months, there has been a definite pick-up in business.

"On top of this, the South West and Bristol has fared a lot better than other parts of the country.

"I'm not saying the recession is over but I believe we've got through the worst of it."

The ethos of his firm is to offer value for money and the new hotel will include a grill-style restaurant and the jazz club – which is something of a personal passion for the hotelier.

When he first arrived in the UK, Mr Brett spent six months taking a close look at the opposition and came up with his formula, which includes comfortable spacious rooms, roomy beds and a food and drink offering which compares well with standard city centre prices.

Mr Brett set up the company with his brother Bruce – who died three years ago. Bruce's wife Marilyn is still involved with the business on a daily basis.

"We offer value and comfort and we're also in a great spot," he said. "We were looking for a site in Bristol for some time and when Cabot Circus came up we grabbed the opportunity. Cabot Circus has made a huge difference to the city centre."

The ultimate aim is for Future Inns to become a household name with a chain of three-star hotel accommodation. Locations are carefully chosen and the emphasis is placed on high standards of food, cleanliness and accommodation.

"We are expecting more people to holiday at home this year and the corporate sector is looking to get real value for money right now," he said.

14
Tweet this article
Report

14 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Alex, Redcliffe

    Thursday, May 21 2009, 9:34PM

    “Vic - if it were not for the endless re-hashing of press releases to masquerade as real stories by the second rate journalists of the BEP, all we would ever read about would be cats stuck up trees!”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Vic, Bristol

    Thursday, May 21 2009, 3:02PM

    “This is just another free advert masquerading as a news item.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Farouk Shabal, Bristol

    Thursday, May 21 2009, 2:51PM

    “Because I am female Stu, and I like to treat myself. What I meant to say was...

    That view simply recreates the greeting many a lonely business woman will receive as she opens the door of their 3 star Future Inn room. He knows his market does Del.

    Apologies. I've been on the Lambrini.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Farouk Shabal, Bristol

    Thursday, May 21 2009, 2:47PM

    “Because I am female Stu, and I like to treat myself.

    That view simply recreates the greeting greet many a lonely business woman will receive as he opens the door of their 3 star Future Inn room. He knows his market does Del.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by stu, bristol

    Thursday, May 21 2009, 2:30PM

    “Farouk how do you know what a low grade male escort looks like ?”

        Add your comments

        max 4000 characters