Paramount Hotels has embarked on an exciting new era of development following the announcement that long established international hospitality group, Barceló, is to lease and manage the company’s 20 four star properties around the UK, due to take effect from September 2007.

This move represents a highly positive milestone for Paramount which, under the ownership of Dawnay Shore Hotels plc, has seen significant growth in recent years including the addition of some prestigious and historic hotels such as The Lygon Arms, Billesley Manor and Walton Hall.

The strategic alliance with Barceló will underpin Paramount’s commitment to quality standards for its business and leisure guests. The multi-million pound refurbishment programme underway at existing Paramount properties will continue apace and further hotel acquisitions will be targeted.

The conference and meetings market has been particularly buoyant for Paramount in 2007 and it is envisaged that this, together with increased weddings and short breaks leisure business, will strengthen the company’s positioning as a key player in the UK hospitality sector.

The management and staff of the Paramount Hotels, will be taken on by Barceló and therefore its business as usual around the circuit.

Barceló Corporación Empresarial, S.A. is a privately owned Spanish hospitality company.  The activities of the company include the management and operation of over 130 hotels across more than 14 countries under an ownership, leasing or management basis as well as the operation of retail travel agencies.  The Barceló Group also promotes projects broadly related to the tourism and hotel industries, owning shares in other companies.  The Barceló Group carries out its activities in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the United States, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Switzerland, among other countries.

Website: www.barcelo.com