Luton Hoo job boost welcomed

Over 300 jobs will be brought to the area with the transformation of Luton Hoo into a luxury five star hotel. The news has been warmly welcomed by Luton’s MP and the local business organisation who say it will provide  an important boost to the local economy.

Graeme Bateman, Managing Director of Elite Hotels: “Local staff from Luton and the surrounding area will play a key role in the success of the hotel. We are hoping to employ many people from the area in a wide variety of positions, including sales, reception, accounts, gardeners, greenkeepers, maintenance, chefs, doormen, porters, waiting staff and beauty therapists. I am delighted the hotel development has been received so enthusiastically and we look forward to working with the town’s businesses and becoming an integral part of Luton’s corporate and leisure community.”

Recruitment is now underway at Elite Hotel’s fourth landmark property, which opens this autumn, and the initial complement of 180 staff will rise to 350 when the hotel is fully operational. A dedicated employment website went live this month and full and part-time positions are available across all departments within the hotel.

Luton South MP Margaret Moran said: “I warmly welcome the increase in jobs Luton Hoo is bringing to our town. I am a firm believer in the value of contributions from businesses such as Elite Hotels  in boosting the local economy. The idyllic and grand setting of Luton Hoo will provide first rate facilities for visitors to the town and surrounding area.”

Her views were echoed by Richard Lacy, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce for Luton and Bedfordshire, who said Luton Hoo would play a major part in showcasing Luton as a top town in which to live, work and do business.

“Luton Hoo is one of Bedfordshire and Luton’s most iconic sites so the Chamber is particularly encouraged to see it used to create much needed quality employment and top-notch facilities,” he said. “As Luton enters a very exciting phase, with a number of major projects going ahead or planned, developments at Luton Hoo will play an important part in making Luton attractive to inward investors and a great place to live and work.”

Elite Hotels offers a full staff training and development programme and many employees, including those with no previous experience in the hospitality industry, have risen through the ranks to take up supervisory and management positions. Luton Hoo will also work closely with Barnfield College to develop the skills of its hospitality and leisure staff, including adult learning if required.

In addition to local members of staff, positions will also be made available to employees from EU countries as well as internal transfers from the group’s sister hotels.

Elite Hotels also owns the country house properties Ashdown Park in East Sussex, and Tylney Hall, in Hampshire, and the five-star Grand Hotel in the south coast resort of Eastbourne.

For information on employment opportunities at Luton Hoo log onto www.careersatelitehotels.co.uk.