Conran pulls F&B out of the Great Eastern

Conran has withdrawn its involvement in food and beverage operations at London's Great Eastern hotel following Hyatt's takeover of the property in February.

Conran had run the hotel's three restaurant outlets, including the three AA-rossette Aurora, since its launch in 2000. The restaurant group was understood to be in discussions about continuing its contract with Hyatt.

But Caterer has learnt the company withdrew its involvement with the hotel up
to three weeks ago.

It remains unclear whether Conran pulled out of the venture, or whether its contract was ended by the Great Eastern's new general manager, Clifford Grauers, who took over from Nicholas Rettie at the start of April.

Aurora's head chef, Alan Pickett, is due to leave the Great Eastern's flagship restaurant to start at the Orrery, Conran's Marylebone restaurant, at the beginning of June.

Global Hyatt Corporation bought the Great Eastern from Conran Holdings and Blackstone Real Estate in February. The 267-bedroom hotel is due to be rebranded as a Hyatt next January.

Conran and the Great Eastern both declined to make any comment.

By Emily Manson

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