High Street Hospitality to launch two new hotels in the north east

Newcastle-based High Street Hospitality has announced plans for two new hotels in the north east of England.

The company intends to undertake a £2m development of a former office building in Newcastle city centre, having applied for planning permission to transform the property into a 13-bedroom boutique hotel on Collingwood Street.

To be called the Metropolitan House hotel, the property will feature the Boardwalk Brasserie, a 1920s themed all-day restaurant, and the Terrace on the top floor with a half retractable roof which may be open to members only.

High Street Hospitality is also investing £4.5m in building a 42-bedroom hotel on the Durham Gate retail project at Thinford, County Durham. The property, which will feature a restaurant and bar, will become the third in the company's Hotel 52 chain, joining others in Whitley Bay and Stanley. It is expected to open in summer 2020.

Other hotels owned by High Street Hospitality, which operate outside the Hotel 52 brand, include the Sea hotel in South Shields, the Parkmore hotel in Eaglescliffe, the Three Horse Shoes in Washington, where there are plans to build 58 bedrooms in the grounds.

Established by Gary Forrest in 2006, High Street Hospitality also has 15 food, beverage and leisure venues. It plans to have a portfolio of up to 20 hotels over the next seven years.

The group is said to have recently been valued for £1.2b by ACF Investment Bank, with a target of £3b by 2022.

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