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Cotton calls on government to ‘keep its hands off’ hospitality
Speaking at the British Hospitality Association’s (BHA) Annual Luncheon today, celebrating 100 years since the organisation’s inception, chief executive Bob Cotton called on the government to “keep its hands off” the industry.
Addressing more than 1,200 hospitality professionals this afternoon – as Tony Blair stepped down as Prime Minister and Gordon Brown prepared to take over the reigns of power – Cotton said the government needed to “stop regulating”.
In particular, he highlighted the ‘danger’ of the withdrawal of the Hotel Buildings Allowance which he claims will deter investment.
Further speakers at the luncheon, hosted this year at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London, included Sir Rocco Forte and BHA president Sir David Michels, both of whom lamented that the day of the entrepreneurial hotelier – such as Sir Rocco’s father, Lord Forte – was over, with the industry now a target for private equity companies, keen just to ‘fatten a hotel group up’ for a profitable sale within a few years.
The event also included the presentation of the annual BHA awards, which this year saw Anne Voss-Bark of The Arundel Arms Hotel in Devon, and The Brookwood Partnership, win the Food Award in the independent hotel and group categories respectively.
VisitScotland’s Green Tourism Business Scheme was the recipient of the Environment Award, while Visit London’s chief executive, James Bidwell, collected the Tourism Award on behalf of the capital’s tourism body.
The Training Award was won by the London School of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure, formerly the Ealing Hotel School, part of Thames Valley University.
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