Rochestown Park Hotel firm back in profit

The company that operates the four-star Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork returned to profit last year.

Newly-filed accounts for Windsor Surprise Ltd show that the firm recorded a pre-tax profit of €217,430 in the 12 months to the end of December last.

This followed the company recording pre-tax losses of €67,066 in 2014. The figures lodged with the Companies Office show the business returned to profit as revenues increased by 5% to €10m.

In the directors’ report section of the accounts, management said it is pleased with the trading performance, for the period, and intends to “capitalise on positive sales growth to contribute to sustained profitability in the future.”

On the firm’s future developments, the directors said “the company will continue to consolidate its market share given the economic recovery facing the hotel sector.”

One of the owners of the hotel, respected and pioneering Cork businessman, Dónal Lehane died unexpectedly in May of this year while on holidays. He developed the hotel with his brother and business partner, Johnny Lehane.

The hotel continues to be a strong employer in spite of a slight dip in headcount last year to 199 with staff costs remaining static at €4m. The firm’s cash pile increased from €25,017 to €218,141 during the year. At the end of last year, the firm had bank loans totalling €21.34m.

According to the directors, the principal risks and uncertainties facing the firm are the downturn in the hotel sector; increase in the cost of borrowing and the breach of banking facilities.