UK: International Hospitality Media, the publisher of Serviced Apartment News, has hosted the first in a series of limited capacity business networking events.
Sponsored by Central London Alliance and held at Blue Orchid Hotels’ new Tower Suites property in the City of London, the event included a discussion about “What’s going down in London Town?”
In compliance with Covid security measures, a group of 30 hospitality and real estate professionals enjoyed presentations and talks from Roger Bootle, chairman, Capital Economics; Tony Matharu, Central London Alliance; Chris Felton, head of data and insight, JCDecaux; and Richard Burge, CEO, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In attendance were representatives from AHV Associates, Saxbury, Sir Richard Sutton Estates, JC Decaux, Cushman & Wakefield, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Flying Butler Apartments, Lyreco, Gerard Nolan and Partners, Manhattan Loft Corporation, Invel Real Estate, Sanctum Soho Hotel, Best Western Hotels, Under The Doormat, The Portfolio Club, Montcalm Hotels, Hartridge Capital, London Chamber of Commerce, Nhow and NH Kensington.
Amid acknowledgement that the capital, and in particular its hospitality sector – is currently in a very difficult situation, there were reminders of its historic resilience and ever-changing adaptable nature. Collaboration was a recurring theme, with Mathuru – also the boss of Blue Orchid Hotels – calling on those present to pool resources under the Central London Alliance umbrella to lobby government, market the city to consumers and work towards a safer, faster, and more sustainable recovery of central London and, by extension, the whole of the UK.
The centre of London generates £211 billion GVA, employs 1.9 million people and generates a substantial tax surplus which funds the delivery of public services, such as schools, hospitals, and railways, across the country, said Mathuru. London and its surrounding areas are the only part of the UK to contribute more to the public purse than they receive from central government.
Future scheduled Urban Living Lite events – live (limited to 30 places) and with an online option to join – are:
November
• Thursday 19/11/2020: Is 2021 going to be the new normal for hospitality and office interiors?
• Monday 23/11/2020: Understanding urban living markets:
• Monday 23/11/2020: Investment strategies of the future:
• Tuesday 24/11/2020: Battle of assets classes (BTR vs student housing vs senior living)
• Tuesday 24/11/2020: The planning dilemma
• Wednesday 25/11/2020: The outlook of the flex economy and the future of co-working
• Wednesday 25/11/2020: Mixed-use utopia – work, rest and play
• Thursday 26/11/20: ENGAGE! Lite: Corporate Travel Buyer events x 2
• Friday 27/11/20: CEO away day
December
• Tuesday 02/12/20: Personalisation and AI
Click here to find out more.
