Dalata enjoys 2.7% boost in pre-tax profit in 2019

Ireland's largest hotel group Dalata has reported a 9.3% increase in revenue to €429.2m (£359.6m), with a 2.7% rise in pre-tax profit to €89.7m (£75.16), for the year to 31 December 2019.

In the UK, where the company operates hotels under the Maldron and Clayton brands in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff and Belfast, a "very strong revpar (revenue per available room)" was enjoyed with the regional hotels "significantly" outperforming the market in all cities.

During the reporting period the company acquired the Clayton Hotel City of London in January 2019 and secured a site for a new hotel in Shoreditch in August. The Clayton Hotel City of London was said to have "traded strongly" during its first year of operation.

Pat McCann, Dalata Group chief executive, said: "Our success in securing these two projects has been a catalyst for us in being considered as an operator for other projects in London.

"In November, we entered into a lease to take over the operation of the Tamburlaine Hotel in Cambridge, to be rebranded shortly to Clayton Hotel Cambridge. This hotel, which opened in 2017, is superbly located and a fantastic fit for our Clayton brand.

Further signings included a new agreement for the lease of the Maldron Hotel Liverpool.

Founded in August 2007, Dalata Hotel Group today has a portfolio of 41 hotels in Ireland and the UK.