Grand Connaught Rooms relaunch set for September

July 6, 2009

Principal Hayley, the events and conference firm has bought the New Connaught Rooms in London and plans to restore the historical conference venue and give it a brand new name, the Grand Connaught Rooms.

Principal Hayley has also bought the Glasgow Central Hotel in its latest round of purchases. The firm says it now plans an extensive £40 million refurbishment and renovation of the new properties, with £7 million to be spent on a major upgrade of the New Connaught Rooms and transformation into the 'Grand Connaught Rooms'.

Dating from 1775, the New Connaught Rooms have long been regarded as one of the finest venues in London for business and social events including conferences, seminars, exhibitions, Christmas parties, New Years Eve events and upscale social functions.

The Cindarella treatment will take place in July and August, and is intended to ensure the Grand Connaught Rooms remain a flagship London venue and is expected to be completed by September 2009 when the new look venue will be revealed.

The CEO of Principal Hayley, Tony Troy, says the Grand Connaught Rooms offers a spectacular venue that will continue to provide an unforgettable setting for a party, despite the economic downturn. Troy says, “We are very excited about the addition of The Grand Connaught Rooms and The Grand Central Hotel to our portfolio. Strategically they are an excellent fit to the collection. The Grand Connaught Rooms will work hand in hand with the Hotel Russell to offer some of the finest conference and banqueting that central London has to offer.“

Troy says Principal Hayley is a leading provider of venues for corporate events, “Even in today’s challenging economic climate we are confident that our unique model of offering an ‘a la carte selection of high quality city centre hotels and dedicated conference, event and training venues is one which will continue to appeal to both the corporate and leisure markets alike and this acquisition further enforces our commitment to grow.”

Martin Clarke, a member of the board at Principal Hayley and a partner at Permira says the board was glad to support the decision to buy the Grand Connaught Rooms and the Glasgow Central Hotel as they enhance an “already excellent portfolio.”