Activities

Mid-market hotel operator

Operating data

Number of UK hotels: 61
Number of international hotels: two each in Australia and Malaysia
Number of employees: about 4,000

Strategy

"The UK economy seems to be holding up despite the troubles afflicting most of the world. There is a growing sense of optimism in the industry with indications of recovery in the corporate sector and we have strategies in place to grow average room rate and yield as the national and global economies continue to improve."
Source: annual report and accounts, 2003

Chief executive

Yet-King Loy

Key directors

Director of operations: Peter Kirschner
Chairman: Khoo Kay Peng

Contact

Blakelands House
Yeomans Drive
Milton Keynes
MK14 5HG

Tel: 01908 553100

Website: http://www.corushotels.com

Commentary

The company was launched in 1993 as Regal Hotels Group. In 1996 the company almost quadrupled in size with the acquisition of the White Hart chain from Granada. The following year it strengthened geographically with the acquisition of 13 Country Club Hotels from Whitbread.

In 1998, the group acquired a controlling interest in the Restaurant Partnership, which owns and manages brands including Simply Nico’s and Nico Central. Later in the year the company announced the launch of its new hotel brand, Corus, which focuses on the corporate market. In 1999 the company bought County Hotels, adding 25 hotels to its portfolio.

In 2000, Regal Hotels Group was taken over by London Vista, which is part of Malayan United Industries.

In February 2003 the company changed its name to Corus and announced its intention to sell 25 hotels. The company sold nine hotels in 2003 and a further six in 2004.