Bulldog Hotel Group set for expansion following Commer Group investment

By Emma Eversham

- Last updated on GMT

Edward Walsh of Commer Group (left) with Kevin Charity, managing director of Bulldog Hotel Group
Edward Walsh of Commer Group (left) with Kevin Charity, managing director of Bulldog Hotel Group

Related tags Inn

Independent hotel operator Bulldog Hotel Group has outlined plans to double the size of its business after gaining investment from the Commer Group.

The move, which sees Commer Group take a 20 per cent stake in the business and its managing director Edward Walsh join Bulldog's board as finance director, will allow the hotel group to invest £20m over the next five years into growing its estate from seven to 15. 

Bulldog Hotel Group managing director Kevin Charity said: “We’re delighted Edward is joining the Bulldog board to lead our investment programme. His extensive financial experience as an investment banker and business knowledge and contacts through the Commer Group, will help us realise our ambitious growth plans."

The hotel group, which was created in 2004, has specialised in creating coaching inn-style properties in Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire and County Durham. 

Charity said the company's business model was based on 'selecting high quality coaching inns and revitalising their offer across food, drink and accommodation'.

He said: "While many individual hotels can only afford to focus on just one area, we have the resources to ensure excellence across all three income streams and give guests and customers an all-round better experience. This is proving attractive to couples and families for holiday breaks, but also to the corporate market for meetings and conferences.

“The regional hotel market, and particularly the coaching inn sector, remains highly fragmented and with this investment we have never been better placed to take advantage of the acquisition opportunities that we continue to see."

Bulldog currently has a turnover of £10m and employs 320 staff across its seven sites. 

Related news

Show more

Follow us

Hospitality Guides

View more

Generation Next