Core Insights - Whitbread's German business showed strong performance in Q3, with total accommodation sales up 12% and RevPAR increasing by 7% in local currency, indicating a path to profitability this year [1] - UK food and beverage sales met expectations as part of Whitbread's growth plan, focusing on enhancing guest experience and improving returns by transforming lower-returning restaurants into hotel extensions [2] - In the early part of Q4, UK performance improved, with total accommodation sales and RevPAR both up 4% compared to Q3, attributed to product consistency and brand strength [3] UK Performance - UK occupancy remained high at 83% with RevPAR up 3% in Q3, maintaining a healthy premium over the mid-scale and economy market [6] - London was a key driver for growth, with RevPAR increasing by 7% year over year, and management expressed confidence in London's consistent performance [5] - Despite RevPAR growth, occupancy was slightly down year over year, but management emphasized a focus on optimizing room usage [4] Efficiency and Cost Management - Whitbread's efficiency program is ahead of expectations, with projected FY26 savings increased by GBP 10 million to a range of GBP 75 million to GBP 80 million, focusing on real efficiencies rather than mere cost-cutting [9][10] - The company adjusted its estimate of the cost impact from UK business rates for FY27 to approximately GBP 35 million, down from GBP 40 million to GBP 50 million [11] - Management is exploring various options to enhance profits and margins, with a five-year plan to be detailed in April [15] Capital Recycling and Strategic Initiatives - Whitbread is on track to achieve GBP 253 million in disposal proceeds for the year, including a recent transaction with LondonMetric valued at GBP 89 million [13] - Proceeds from disposals are intended to support investments in higher-return projects, with the growth program expected to generate high teens returns on capital [14] - Management is reviewing strategic options and will consider shareholder views in its ongoing evaluation [15] Future Outlook - The company anticipates that additional efficiency savings will positively impact the bottom line, with continued trading strength potentially providing upside against previous forecasts [16] - Forward visibility for the UK remains limited, but bookings for FY27 are ahead of last year, with positive long-lead leisure bookings [17]

New York-based Corvex said the Premier Inn owner should review its five year capital plan - Lee Smith/Reuters The owner of Premier Inn is facing pressure from a US activist investor to curb its spending after suffering a £50m blow from Rachel Reeves’s Budget. New York-headquartered Corvex has amassed a 6.05pc stake in London-listed Whitbread and called for the company to reconsider its strategy in light of changes introduced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. The asset manager called for a strategic ...

Dorset House on Stamford Street SE1 [Whitbread plc]Whitbread has planning permission to turn a nine-story building near London’s South Bank into a Premier Inn.Dorset House, a 90,000 sq ft former office building on Stamford Street in Southwark SE1, is to become 421-bedroom Premier Inn hotel.Whitbread acquired the freehold in May 2025 and quickly began conversations with Southwark Council on the change of use. The intention is to add bedrooms within the existing floorplate and introduce a new hotel entrance o ...

Core Insights - Whitbread has commenced construction to convert Phoenix House in Vauxhall, London into a 180-bedroom Premier Inn hotel, following an agreement on a lease just eight months prior [1][3] - The site was acquired as part of Whitbread's London expansion program for Premier Inn, with a 30-year lease agreement signed with Lambeth Council [2][4] Group 1 - The conversion involves leasing a 10-storey, 7,469 sqm former office building from Lambeth Council, with planning permission secured 20 weeks after the lease agreement [2] - Construction work has begun with the aim to open the hotel in early 2028, and strip-out works are expected to be completed by Easter 2026 [3][5] - Whitbread is actively seeking similar opportunities for expansion across London, emphasizing the benefits of converting vacant office buildings into hotels [5] Group 2 - Jonathan Langdon, senior acquisition manager for Whitbread, highlighted the successful partnership with Lambeth Council that facilitated the rapid acquisition and planning process [4] - The location is strategically positioned opposite Vauxhall underground station, which is expected to attract customers [5] - The project aligns with Whitbread's goal of sustainable development by repurposing a former office building [5][7]

Core Insights - EXL has renewed its collaboration with Whitbread, focusing on a data-driven approach to transform Whitbread's finance and accounting operations [1][2] - The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency and drive business value through a comprehensive financial service suite [2][3] - EXL's services will help Whitbread improve financial agility, standardize processes, and reduce operating expenses [3][4] Company Overview - EXL is a global data and AI company that provides services to reinvent business models and drive growth across various industries, including hospitality [6] - The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in New York, employing approximately 61,000 people worldwide [6] Partnership Details - The renewed collaboration is a three-year agreement aimed at delivering data-driven financial services and optimizing financial operations [2][3] - EXL will assist Whitbread in updating legacy process flows through the implementation of analytical tools and automation [4] - The partnership emphasizes a long-term, collaborative relationship to ensure continuous and efficient operation of core processes [3][4]