AccorHotels to focus growth across Mercure, Ibis Styles and lifestyle brands

French hotel group AccorHotels will be focussing its growth plans across its Mercure, Ibis Styles and lifestyle brands.

That is according to Thomas Dubaere, the managing director of AccorHotels UK and Ireland, speaking to The Caterer at the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin this week.

Dubaere said that, following the company's agreement to sell 55% of AccorInvest for €4.4b (£3.9b) to a group of international investors last month, AccorHotels is in "asset-light mode", giving it the opportunity to accelerate growth.

Its lifestyle segment growth will start with its first UK Mama Shelter, due to launch fully next year following refurbishment of the former RE Hotel in London's Shoreditch, and Dubaere says they are "well advanced" in discussions to launch 25hours in the UK, as well as pursuing a site for the first Jo&Joe.

He added that the group's acquisition of FRHI Holdings has given the group "much greater scope" for development in the luxury and upscale segments as well.

AccorHotels has approximately 238 hotels in the UK across 11 brands. Dubaere said the group is planning to hit 300-320 hotels over the next three to four years, focussing on its Mercure and Ibis Styles brands, which are less standardised than its Ibis or Novotel brands.

Pictured: Mama Shelter Paris

RE Hotel London Shoreditch to become first UK Mama Shelter >>

AccorHotels to sell majority stake in AccorInvest for €4.4b >>

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