LGH Hotels Management Ltd has announced a new partnership with celebrity chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White (MPW), with plans to open two of Marco’s New York Italian branches in the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – Central and Holiday Inn Brentwood later this year.
The partnership follows an agreement between Black & White Hospitality Ltd, who own the franchise rights to seven MPW restaurant brands, and LGH Hotels Management Ltd who manage a portfolio of 18 Holiday Inn and 3 Crowne Plaza hotels across the UK. The opening of these two New York Italian restaurants is the start of what both sides expect to be a long and fruitful relationship, with the potential to expand the partnership across the wider Holiday Inn portfolio in the future.
The plans come as both Holiday Inn properties undergo a significant refurbishment to improve the guest experience and importantly upgrade the food and drink offering. The new open lobby dining area at both locations will consist of Marco’s New York Italian eatery, offering a mixture of Italian-inspired dishes and American classics such as fresh pasta, homemade pizza and ribs as well as their best-selling New York style cheesecake.
The dining space will be flexible and informal with a range of high and low tables and booths to suit everyone, be it a working lunch or relaxed group meal.
Marco’s New York Italian concept is inspired by his Italian heritage and love for New York, which promises high quality family-friendly food at reasonable prices.
Marco, once the youngest chef to hold three Michelin stars, commented on the new partnership with LGH Hotels Management Ltd, saying: “I am thrilled to be working with the LGH team and opening new restaurants in Milton Keynes and Brentwood. The essence of my New York Italian is to enjoy your dining experience with excellent food and drink in relaxed surroundings, whatever the occasion, which fits perfectly with the ethos of the Holiday Inn hotels and their new open lobby dining concept.”
Nick Taplin, Marco’s business partner, Chairman and CEO of Black and White Hospitality, added: “We’re delighted to be working with LGH on such a big food and drink project. We have had great success over the years working closely with hoteliers to transform their restaurant and bar areas and we’re looking forward to getting started with MPW in both Brentwood and Milton Keynes. The restaurants are set to be very popular with both hotel guests and local restaurant goers. It is fantastic to be working with a company as professional as LGH and we look forward to many more developments with them.”
Simon Teasdale, Managing Director LGH Hotels Management Ltd, commented: “We are delighted to partner with such a renowned and reputable chef such as Marco Pierre White, a name our guests will be most familiar with. I know Marco will revitalise our food and beverage offering at the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – Central and the Holiday Inn Brentwood, which is critical for our business strategy and development in these areas. Launching these New York Italian restaurants will not only improve the services for our hotel guests but will open the door to new stand-alone dining guests.”
