Hotel operator Six Continents is considering bringing forward and beefing up its hotel refurbishment programme following the terrorist attacks in the USA.
The move may provide a welcome boost to fit-out firms and architects after several hoteliers, including Hilton, put their capital spending programmes on hold.

The £3.8bn turnover hotel giant believes that the low occupancy rates since the attacks mean that refurbishment can be undertaken with little loss of custom. Hoteliers usually undertake refurbishment work in January and February, when occupancy levels fall.

Robert Shepherd, London projects director of Six Continents, said much of the work is likely to be simple room refurbishments. He added: "We are considering starting a review into what projects it might be right to bring forward."

But industry sources believe that one project brought forward is likely to be far more substantial – the £80m refurbishment of the Mayfair Intercontinental Hotel in London.

Hoteliers are debating whether to refurbish now

Source close to Six Continents

A source close to Six Continents confirmed that the firm was considering whether to refurbish the hotel floor-by-floor or close it and do the job in one go.