Securicor to boost refurb spend to £5m

SECURICOR Hotels is to spend £1.1m converting redundant conference facilities on the top floor of the Richmond Hill Hotel in Surrey into 11 de luxe suites. Another £170,000 will be spent refurbishing the ballroom.

The suites project, due to get under way in September, follows the completion of a £300,000 refurbishment of the hotel's restaurant. All three schemes were designed by Anthony Barnes Associates.

Also under way is construction of a £3.7m leisure club serving both Richmond Hill and Securicor's adjacent property, Richmond Gate. Opening is scheduled for November.

These projects, will take the company's total bedrooms to 260. Managing director Nigel Messenger said he was "gently looking" for potential acquisitions in the Home Counties.