Yorkshire hotels performing well despite crunch

DESPITE the gloomy climate the region’s hoteliers are continuing to perform well according to new research.

The report, from PKF, shows an overall increase in occupancy with average room rates and rooms yield across the region up compared with the same period in 2007.

In South Yorkshire, the year to date figures show a 2.5% increase on last year in average room rate charges from £63.63 to £65.19, and a 1.6% rise in rooms yield – the revenue made on each available room.

The occupancy level is slightly down by 0.8%.

The figures in Sheffield for September also show the average room rate in the city’s hotels is up significantly by 12.3% from £60.81 to £68.31, and the rooms yield by more than 8%.

There was, however, a slight dip of 3.7% in the occupancy levels in the city for the same month.

Moving into West Yorkshire, the latest year to date figures for Leeds, show a significant increase of 6% in rooms yield from £49.48 to £52.47.

The findings also show that the average room rate in the city is up by 2.8% from £68.44 in 2007 to £70.34 in 2008, plus a 3.2% rise in occupancy.

The figures for September also show the average room rate in Leeds has increased by 3.8% from £69.12 to £71.74, and the rooms yield by 1.4%.

There was a slight dip of 2.3% in the occupancy levels, but at 79% levels are still above the national average of just over 76%.

Heading to North Yorkshire, the year to date figures for York show a considerable increase of 5.7% in rooms yield from £56.11 to £59.30. Today’s findings also show that the occupancy levels in the city are up by 1.2% from 77.6 per cent to 81%, combined with a 1.2% increase in average room rate.

Occupancy for York’s hotels is up by almost 1%t, and the rooms yield by 0.6%.

There was a slight dip of 0.4 per cent in the average room rates, but the year to date figures show a more promising outlook for the year overall.

Yorkshire’s performance throughout the month was buoyed by an influx of students and their families arriving to the three cities to start university courses, along with key events such as 75th Anniversary Gala concert in Sheffield, the opening of Opera North’s Madam Butterfly in Leeds and the Mighty Boosh playing the Grand Opera House in York.

Mark Lister, partner in charge for PKF based in Leeds, said: “The region’s hotels continue to deliver great results for September maintaining a good position for the year. Despite the economic downturn, Leeds, Sheffield and York hotels seem to be remaining strong, highlighting the popularity of our major Yorkshire cities. The region’s academic institutions and key events continued to draw in the crowds throughout September, increasing awareness of what we have to offer here in Yorkshire.”