NJBHLP

Testimonials

MARKETING
BEST WESTERN LION HOTEL, WORKSOP, S80 1HT

When, as a retail company, we decided to sell our one hotel business, the Best Western Lion Hotel in Worksop, I was recommended to Nick Barber of NJBHLP. Nick took on the whole process, from working forensically through the accounting information that is important to buyers and valuers, through organising photography and brochure production, to accompanying viewings and on-site meetings. Unsurprisingly, and despite a tough market when launching early in 2020, Nick quickly found an experienced trade buyer with a good understanding of both the high street former coaching inn hotel and of Best Western, enabling us to proceed smoothly into legals.

As it happened, our Board decided to retain the hotel after all, due to its strategic geographic location, but I was very happy with the professionalism and personal service from Nick Barber, and will have no hesitation in asking him back to Worksop.

Ben Barclay
Frasers Group
November 2020

FORMER SALISBURY YOUTH HOSTEL, MILFORD HILL HOUSE, SALISBURY, SP1 2QW

Nick Barber of NJBHLP was instructed by Wiltshire Council in the summer of 2016 to review two separate Viability Reports concerning the future of Milford Hill House, submitted with our planning application for its change of use to a retirement homes scheme. Nick was selected due to his comprehensive understanding and knowledge of Youth Hostel operations, both nationwide and within the contexts of buildings fit for purpose and tourist cities such as Salisbury. His brief was to report on both viability documents, in a short time frame, concentrating upon key areas of importance for the Council’s deliberation.

As applicants, this project cost was under-written by us and for which we found NJBHLP’s research and findings to be detailed, fair and thorough, and moreover were delivered within the tight timescale instructed, thereby enabling the planning process to continue without additional delay.

Henry Thornton, Chairman
Cognatum Estates / Genepi Salisbury
January 2017

U+I

NJB Hotels & Leisure Property became an advisor to U+I (formerly Development Securities plc) in 2016, when Nick Barber identified some high profile but redundant space within one of our prominent retail assets in the North West, as being ideally suited for hotel conversion.

Acting then on U+I’s behalf in a quiet capacity Nick contacted prospective hotel lessees and operators, confirmed the market demand as predicted and negotiated Heads of Terms for disposal to an international hotel brand.

It is very helpful to be able to call on a specialist such as NJBHLP for hotels, for this type of proactive estate management, identifying opportunity and creating added value through intensification of use.

Matt Potter
Senior Asset Manager

Brook Hotels

Here at Brook Hotels we are pleased to be an early client of NJB Hotels & Leisure Property. Our relationship with proprietor Nick Barber goes back many years and spans hotel acquisitions, portfolio valuations and now, asset management.

In 2006, Nick played a key role in the acquisition of Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa in Chester. Nick sourced Mollington off-market for us from Hand Picked Hotels and worked closely with the Brook Hotels team to ensure we acquired the property at the price and within the timescale agreed.

Nick has also helped the company with portfolio valuations and after the launch of NJB in 2012, the directors are pleased to have instructed him to help us in our asset management, with the aim of maximising the cost efficiency of operational property as well as evaluating alternatives for non-operational assets.

We look forward to a long and fruitful business relationship.

Umesh Ummat
Managing Director
Brook Hotels
November 2012

(Image of Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa with permission)
www.brook-hotels.co.uk

Hotel Bristol, Sheffield

Nick Barber is one of my key advisers on the hotel property market – a working relationship which dates from 2007 and the highly successful sale of the Hotel Bristol in Sheffield.

Looking back, the height of market brought its own unique challenges – a competitive tender, blind bidding and attempts at gazumping, followed by a back to back deal with the buyer, creating the Park Inn, Sheffield. Throughout the process Nick was always on hand, thorough, insightful and effective. As a result, together we achieved a price significantly in excess of the guide.

In the past five years Nick and I have spoken regularly and I have sought advice on other assets in which I retain an interest and more importantly, about the next opportunity, where timing and funding will be key criteria.

That’s why I am confident that Nick's excellent insight and expertise in the hotel property market will maximise value to my business especially as we continue to look for those exciting new opportunities.

David Ransome
Former owner, Hotel Bristol, now the Sheffield Metropolitan
December 2012

(Hotel Bristol image with permission)

Peter de Savary

My relationship with Nick Barber dates from 2002 when he was marketing the Manor House Hotel, Moretonhampstead on behalf of Le Méridien. I bought the hotel and created Bovey Castle, which I operated until Nick approached me in 2006 on behalf of the directors of Hilwood Hotels & Resorts, who went on to buy Bovey for £26.4 million.

Following the collapse of Swallow Hotels, Nick called me again with a prospect in the Scottish Highlands - the tired but beautifully located Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch, which I purchased for refurbishment.

I am always pleased to hear from Nick Barber with regard to investment opportunities. The creation of luxurious hotels remains a passion for me and it is the 'off-market' calls, such as those for Bovey and Dornoch, that can create opportunity for both acquisition and disposal. I wish Nick every success in his own consultancy venture.

June 2012

(Bovey Castle - library image)

Nic Rumsey, Carisbrooke Investments
Days Inn, Haverhill

I have been working with Nick Barber for over five years, using his skills in hotel property to guide me from prior to the opening of my Days Inn (Haverhill, Suffolk, 2007) through its continuing operation.

As a specialist in all aspects of UK corporate hotel business, Nick has advised me on profitability, values and brand strengths, including those of competitor hotels. I have found his advice invaluable in the operation and profitability of my hotel and look forward to extending our professional relationship with his new consultancy ‘NJB Hotels & Leisure Property’.

Nic Rumsey, Owner
Carisbrooke Investments
May 2012

www.haverhilldaysinn.co.uk
(Hotel image with permission)

YHA (England & Wales)

After many years of working with Nick Barber as a consultant on YHA property matters, I can say that Nick’s knowledge of our estate and business operations is unparalleled amongst property professionals.

Nick’s enthusiasm and dedication to his clients is such that as a regular YHA guest, he has been known to call me about the operation of even the smallest and most remote of our hostels, following a stay!

As the YHA seeks to drive its business forward through the acquisition and sale of buildings in central London and elsewhere, Nick’s informed knowledge of that city, the industry and the leisure property community generally will continue to prove invaluable.

I am sure his new consultancy, NJB Hotels & Leisure Property, will offer us high standards of advice and we here at YHA are looking forward to an ongoing and successful relationship.

Jake Chalmers
Property Director
Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales)
June 2012