In line with its sustained strategy of expansion plans within the UK, Compass Hospitality has once again joined hands with Singapore-based Seacare Hospitality to expand into Wales and Scotland with the acquisitions of The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel in Carmarthen, Wales and Best Western Station Hotel in Dumfries, Scotland.
Both companies have previously partnered together for various acquisitions including the Big Sleep Hotels portfolio (now Citrus Hotels UK) and Best Western Queen’s Hotel in Dundee, with the latter being acquired in November 2017. With the addition of the properties in Carmarthen & Dumfries into the portfolio, Compass Hospitality now operates and manages 16 hotels across the UK since the company’s entry into the market in 2015.
The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel dates from the 18th century and offers 70 en-suite bedrooms set within 1.5 acres. The hotel also includes a range of bar, restaurant and private function spaces, external dining trade areas, leisure facilities such as a gym and sauna, and ample private car park.
The Best Western Station Hotel enjoys a prime location adjacent to Dumfries railway station, at the heart of the town. The traditional Victorian hotel houses 32 bedrooms, a courtyard bistro and a lounge bar overseeing a small landscaped garden, and three bespoke event venues. The hotel is well-established as one of the finest hotels in Dumfries and has undergone constant refurbishment programme.
“The performance trends in Wales and Scotland are positive,” Seacare Hospitality Chief Executive Officer Lim Chye Teen commented. “Scotland, in particular, has outperformed the rest of the UK in terms of average profit conversion, underpinned by robust rate growth. We believe both regions are poised for further growth in the near future and we are confident to partner with Compass Hospitality in our properties”.
“We are thrilled to collaborate again with Seacare on this opportunity. We share the same vision to put an immaculate focus on the operations and leverage on opportunities of the hotels to boost performance,” Compass Hospitality's Chief Executive Officer, Harmil Singh said. “While both hotels are already performing very well, a combination of the ongoing positive momentum and the synergies created through our comprehensive portfolio of 16 hotels throughout the UK will bolster the hotel performance even further.”
