Bird Hospitality reveals further UK hotel plans

Indian company Bird Hospitality Services (BHS) has revealed plans for further UK hotel acquisitions and to extend the Forbury hotel, Reading.

The Forbury received planning permission earlier this year for a multi-million pound conversion of its 17 two-bed apartments into 34 additional hotel bedrooms, and is hoping to start renovation works in September. It is also looking to launch an Aheli spa at the hotel, and acquire property nearby for additional banqueting space to create an adjacent wedding and conference destination.

BHS, the hospitality arm of the Bird Group, acquired the 48-bedroom London Royal Park hotel (pictured) in 2011 and the 22-bedroom Forbury in 2015.

The Bird Group's executive director, Ankur Bhatia, also revealed the company is looking for further "opportunity-driven" acquisitions in the UK of three- to four-star boutique hotels with the intention of upgrading them to five-star properties.

"We see more yield happening in that direction," he told The Caterer.

"We're looking at more opportunities in the UK, obviously London is important for us, but we're also looking around Oxford, Bath and other areas," he added, saying he hopes to announce the group's next UK hotel this year.

He said the group may also be looking to bring its dining concepts to the UK, such as its Chinese Chi Ni and Indian Kheer restaurants from its hotels in New Delhi, potentially as standalone restaurants.

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