Premier Inn to shed up to 120 general managers
Up to 120 general managers at Premier Inn could lose their jobs in a rationalisation of the budget hotel group's management structure.
Operated by Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, Premier Inn intends to introduce cluster managers, who will each be responsible for about five hotels. Each hotel will have an operations manager who will be focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience.
Patrick Dempsey, managing director for Whitbread, said the company had begun to consult its general managers about the change.
"The aim is to bring increased focus to our hotels and restaurants businesses in order to deliver even better customer experiences, stronger commercial performance and to support our ambitious growth plans," he said.
"While we will be able to offer some great career development opportunities with the new cluster general manager roles, we do risk losing some outstanding and talented individuals from our business. We anticipate that this operational change could mean that around 120 general managers will be leaving the business.
"Our overriding aim is to mitigate job losses wherever possible and to identify alternative roles for those people who could be impacted. Throughout this process we will treat people fairly and equally, in line with our Whitbread values."
Premier Inn currently has 600 hotels with around 43,000 bedrooms.
Whitbread plans to accelerate expansion after 20% pre-tax profit rise >>
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Budget hotel market continues to be dominated by two brands >>
By Janet Harmer
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