Skip to content
Search
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

Hotel billionaire Surinder Arora says the government should focus on rapid Covid-19 tests at airports

By Pramod Thomas

INDIAN-ORIGIN hotel billionaire Surinder Arora will be relieved if his Arora Group avoids a hefty loss during the Covid-19 pandemic.


The earlier estimate was to hit earnings of about £100 million this year.

Arora said that the government has done a 'fantastic job' of supporting businesses, but the job protection scheme should have required a higher contribution from employers wishing to furlough staff.

Now he wants the government to focus on rapid tests at airports.

“If the government and regulator can move quickly and we can have tests in minutes we can have Covid-free flights. If we can do things like that and get quarantine down to three or four days it sends a signal to businesses and people. At the moment confidence is suffocated," Arora told The Times.

“We have to respect the government and do everything we can to be as normal as possible but we can all forget about a V-shaped recovery. Even if it was a U-shaped recovery I’d be happy but I think it’s going to be a long haul. It’s going to take a while to get back to pre-Covid days, probably a few years.”

During lockdown only one of his hotels was open — the Intercontinental, which was given free to the NHS for key workers. Recently, five hotels have reopened, but the occupancy is just between 10 per cent and 25 per cent.

Founded in 1999, Arora Group has gradually expanded and now has more than 6,000 rooms in 15 hotels, including the Intercontinental London, at the O2, the Sofitel at Heathrow and Fairmont Windsor Park in Berkshire. It also owns residential and office units.

The group began the year focused on its attempt to build a sixth terminal at Heathrow, originally intended to serve a third runway. Now he accepts expansion is the 'last thing' on most people’s minds.

Arora, 62, with an estimated fortune of £1.3 billion, is not a big fan of 'remote working' as he says 'people like to have that personal touch'.

"There will be things that are here to stay, like Zoom, but we need to get back to work," he said.

Recently, the group has secured a £50 million loan from Oaknorth Bank, which Arora says will help him to keep as many of the company’s 2,500 staff on the payroll as possible.

Arora was born in Punjab, India and moved to the UK when he was 13. When he left school he had jobs as a clerk for British Airways, a waiter and an insurance salesman before launching his first business, a B&B for airline staff at Heathrow, in 1993.

More For You

nintendo switch 2

The new console aims to build upon the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh innovations

Getty

Nintendo unveils Switch 2 - A new era for hybrid gaming begins

After months of speculation and cryptic teaser campaigns, Nintendo has officially announced the highly anticipated successor to its bestselling hybrid console. The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on 5 June, with a price tag of £395.99 for the base package and £429.99 for a bundle including Mario Kart World. With a range of hardware improvements, redesigned controllers, and an exciting lineup of games, the new console aims to build upon the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh innovations.

A Bigger, Sharper Display and 4K Support

One of the most noticeable upgrades in the Nintendo Switch 2 is its display. The console now features a larger 7.9-inch screen, boasting twice the pixel count of the original Switch and supporting full 1080p resolution. Additionally, the display is capable of up to 120 frames per second, ensuring smoother animations, while high dynamic range (HDR) enhances colour contrast for a richer visual experience. Despite these improvements, the Switch 2 maintains the same thickness as the original model, preserving its signature portable form factor.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘All options on the table’ as Britain
prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

Sir Keir Starmer with Jonathan Reynolds

‘All options on the table’ as Britain prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

BRITAIN is likely to be hit by US tariffs despite making “rapid progress” over a trade deal with Washington, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (1).

He spoke as US trading partners around the world braced for an expected fresh raft of tariffs from president Donald Trump, in addition to levies already imposed on steel and those set to take effect this week on cars.

Keep ReadingShow less
single-use vapes-iStock

Analysis by Material Focus estimates that 8.2 million vapes are discarded or littered each week in the UK—equivalent to 13 every second. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Shops told to clear single-use vapes before ban starts on June 1

SHOPS across the UK have until 1 June 2025 to sell off remaining stocks of single-use vapes before a nationwide ban comes into force.

The legislation, confirmed last year, follows a government consultation that showed strong support for restricting their sale and supply.

Keep ReadingShow less
Primark-London-Getty

During his 15-year tenure, Marchant expanded Primark’s store network to more than 450 locations across 17 countries in Europe and the United States. (Photo: Reuters)

Primark chief Paul Marchant steps down after misconduct probe

PAUL MARCHANT, the head of fashion retailer Primark, has resigned with immediate effect after admitting to an "error of judgment" in his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.

Associated British Foods (AB Foods), Primark's parent company, announced his resignation on Monday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

JAGUAR’S ambition to seduce younger, richer drivers was on full display in Paris with a presentation of its newest prototype, the Type 00, which promises all-electric luxury... at a steep price.

The low-slung, muscular-looking concept car presented to European reporters last Friday (21) prefigures a production model expected mid-2026 at a base cost of €150,000 (£123,472.8).

Keep ReadingShow less