Urban unveils boutique hotel plan
Urban & Country Leisure (UCL), the pub management operator and owner run by Ross Sanders, has unveiled plans to expand into the small hotel market with the launch of its first boutique style hotel.
UCL, which currently operates 14 pubs across the UK, has invested £1.5m transforming the former Globe Hotel in Warwick into a hotel, pub which will now be called the Lazy Cow. The hotel is expected to open in October.
The launch of the Lazy Cow is part of an aggressive two-year expansion plan that will also see the independent hospitality operator plan to open a further 10 small boutique hotels as well as expanding its pub estate with a further 12 in 2011/2012. Overall, it will amount to a £15m expansion
The Lazy Cow is the first hotel project from Sander's UCL blueprint which aims to bring unique, quality and bespoke boutique style hotel accommodation to the market with an attached high end pub/restaurant offering.
The Lazy Cow, which is situated in Theatre Street, in the heart of Warwick, is also adjacent to Warwick racecourse and one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions, Warwick Castle. Sanders has recruited head chef David Philpot who was previously senior chef at the renowned London eateries Le Caprice, The Ivy and head chef at Soho House in New York.
Each room will have the latest in high technology gadgets with Apple iPads, 32-inch flat screen plasma HD TV's, WIFI and iPods.
Each room will also be kitted out with its own "Lazy Cow Swag Bag" where customers will be encouraged to take home the hotel's bathrobes, towels and unique range of its own branded toiletries.
