Midlands maestro to launch own hotel brand

The former general manager of Leicestershire country house hotel Hambleton Hall is planning to launch his own hotel brand for quality properties in the Midlands.

The move is part of an ambitious three-prong business plan developed by Jeffrey Crockett for his newly established company, Obelus Hospitality.

Mr Crockett said the company planned to sell a range of hospitality consultancy services and would develop a nationwide network of exclusive clubs. These would incorporate a fine-dining restaurant, all-day café and health and beauty facilities.

On the hotel development side, Mr Crockett said the plan was to build a network of six Obelus hotels in the Midlands through acquisitions and management contracts over the next two years.

Although these properties would continue to trade under their own names, the Obelus brand linking them would stand for four-star quality, he added.

Mr Crockett said that he expected to hear this week if the company's offer for a 31-bedroom, four-star hotel in the region had been accepted.

He added that the decision to focus on the Midlands was made because the region was currently "under-served with fine hotels with a strong brand".

The first Obelus-branded club is expected to open in a converted warehouse in Nottingham in May or June 1997.

The plan is then to roll out the concept nationwide over the next three to five years.

"We believe there is a natural association in lifestyle between those people who enjoy looking after themselves and who appreciate fine food and wine," he said.

Mr Crockett's co-director at the company is Christopher Hurst, who was formerly general manager at Stapleford Park, Stapleford, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.