Choice Hotels to push ahead with UK'franchise growth

Choice Hotels Europe, the UK subsidiary of global hotel group Choice Hotels International (which owns the Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brands), has unveiled plans to further strengthen its UK business.

At a meeting attended by more than 40 representatives from the banking, finance and investment community at the Royal Exchange in the City of London in March, Choice Hotels Europe announced its intention to establish more franchise agreements with UK companies and individuals, including existing hoteliers and independent hotel groups who want to become part of the Choice Hotels network.

'Our healthy pipeline of new hotels demonstrate that even in these challenging economic times franchisees want to work with a strong global franchise brand,' said Chief Operating Officer Duncan Berry (pictured, inset). 'As the largest pure global hotel franchising business we have the expertise, support and scope to help our franchisees succeed.''

Choice Hotels Europe currently franchises over 500 hotels across Europe, including 44 in the UK. The company announced an agreement last year with Kasterlee Limited to launch several Clarion branded hotels in the UK, Germany and Russia, and a Quality Hotel is on track to open later this year at Maida Vale in London.