• The family-run company continues to develop its portfolio of assets in York and announces further investments, supporting the area’s tourism ambitions and creating local jobs.

York, UK – Award-winning hospitality business, Splendid Hospitality Group (SHG), one of the region’s largest and most established hospitality companies, which employs over 350 people in the area, announces that it plans to invest tens of millions of pounds in its 4 York hotels. The continued investment underscores the Group’s generational commitment to enhancing the city’s visitor experience, supporting local jobs and strengthening York’s position as a premier destination for tourism and business travel.

The investment is announced as SHG debuts the multi-million pound refurbishment of its ibis Styles York Centre property. The fourth hotel in the group’s York portfolio, the Grade II listed building has received substantial upgrades, with the addition of 16 extra bedrooms and a comprehensive refurbishment. The building’s history has been central to the renovation, with its heritage as a brewery reflected in the design. Now reopened to guests, the new look and brand experience reflects SHG’s ambition to offer accessible yet stylish hospitality to both the business and leisure market.

At the same time, the city’s only five-star hotel, The Grand, York, which is owned and operated by SHG, is also benefitting from substantial upgrades. The existing spa is being completely reimagined, incorporating cutting-edge wellness technology, new treatment rooms, and expanded relaxation areas in an extensive £2.5m renovation, due to be completed in early 2026.

The exciting renovation of The Grand, York’s spa will be followed by a multi-million pound rolling programme of refurbishment to maintain its best-in-class stunning heritage guests rooms, and further enhance the food and beverage spaces to position the hotel as one of the finest guest experiences in the country.

Growing its footprint in the region, SHG also announces it has exchanged contracts to purchase 98 Walmgate. Currently operating as a restaurant and situated next to the Group’s Hotel Indigo York, the city’s premier purpose-built boutique hotel for the past decade, the deal is due for completion soon. SHG is exploring using the restaurant to enable the creation of an expanded accommodation and food & beverage offering.

SHG also recently acquired 37 Tanner Row, a Grade II listed building in the heart of York, with a view to converting the property into luxury hotel suites for long stay guests. Originally built as The George Hotel in the 1850s, guests will be able to access the wider facilities of The Grand, York which is in close proximity.

The Group is also exploring the site plan for Holiday Inn Express York, which it acquired in 2008. It is considering adding extra bedrooms to satisfy the continuing high levels of demand from both business and leisure guests. Plans are also afoot to upgrade the public areas to the highly innovative new Holiday Inn Express design.

SHG’s investment comes at a time when York’s visitor economy continues to thrive. In 2023 alone, tourism brought in £1.73 billion and supported over 16,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the area. York welcomed more than 9 million visitors – a 2.2% rise on the previous year – and saw spending exceed £1.2 billion.*

York has emerged as one of the most celebrated destinations in the UK, and our investment is not just financial, it’s a commitment to creating a positive impact for the next generation and is a statement of intent. 

As a family-owned business, we are focused on creating lasting impact through regeneration, entrepreneurialism, high-quality hospitality and meaningful job creation that benefits both the local community and visitors alike. These projects reflect Splendid Hospitality Group’s deep-rooted investment and commitment to York, and our ongoing mission to support local growth and create exceptional guest experiences.

Nadeem Boghani, Executive Chairman of SHG

At a showcase event hosted at the ibis Styles York Centre on 26 June celebrating the reopening of the hotel, Councillor Margaret Wells, Deputy Lord Mayor of York, gave a speech commenting on the Group’s continued belief in York as a tourism destination. At the showcase regional stakeholders, local councillors and tourism leaders received an exclusive preview exclusive of the Group’s wider regeneration plans for York’s thriving hospitality sector.

*Make it York. https://www.makeityork.com/news/2024/09/yorks-thriving-tourism-sector-continues-to-grow/.

About Splendid Hospitality Group

Splendid Hospitality Group, led by Shiraz and Nadeem Boghani, is the owner, operator, and developer of a diverse portfolio of 24 hotels with more than 2,500 rooms, 38 quick-service restaurants (KFC), and three care homes.

As one of the UK’s fastest-growing privately owned hospitality groups, Splendid has built a reputation for excellence across a full spectrum of hotel types and locations, from limited service to luxury. The group is backed by trusted partnerships with major franchisors including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Accor. Notable properties in the portfolio include The Grand in York and Hilton London Bankside, a flagship five-star hotel on London’s Southbank.

www.shg.co.uk