SINGAPORE: A Singapore billionaire and two former Manchester United footballers are seeking to open up to 25 soccer-themed hotels across Asia and continental Europe over the next decade.
Rowsley, the Singapore real estate business controlled by Peter Lim, who also owns Valencia football club, is in talks with potential business partners about a big expansion of the hotel and café business backed by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs. The Cafe Football chain plans to open in Singapore in the first quarter of next year, adding to two existing UK outlets.
SGX-listed Rowsley paid nearly £30m last year for a 75 per cent stake in Hotel Football, a 133-room venue with a view of Old Trafford that was set up by a group of former Manchester United footballers including Mr Neville and Mr Giggs. The Manchester hotel has football-style decor, including room numbers in the font used for game shirts, and a rooftop football pitch that doubles as a wedding venue.
“We’re looking at 5,000 rooms in the next 10 years,” said Mr Neville, noting that each hotel would have about 200 rooms.
The pundit and former assistant England manager said the hotel business’s European expansion will focus on cities with a “passion for football” that attract large match-day crowds for internationally renowned football clubs.
Mr Neville said: “We’ve been approached quite a lot by partners to expand. Knowing there’s quite a lot of excitement in the market, we’re filtering down to the best opportunities that support our brand and product.”
Rowsley and the former footballers are in talks with a potential partner in India, and are also considering opening hotels in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.
Tan Wee Tuck, chief financial officer at Rowsley, said the company is looking to raise equity and debt to finance the expansion. He said: “We’re looking for investors who can bring other resources, whether that’s land or property.”
