Amante Capital invests £3.7m in Kingfisher

Amante Capital has launched a £3.7 million sustainability investment programme across 29 UK hotels operated by Kingfisher Hospitality Group. The capital is aimed at cutting carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency throughout the portfolio.

The funding will pay for a series of upgrades. These include rooftop solar panels, smart thermostat technology, voltage optimisation systems, LED lighting, and water-saving installations.

Solar and Energy Upgrades

Over £850,000 has been committed to rooftop solar installations. These are planned for hotels in London Heathrow, Glasgow, Bournemouth, Leicester, and Portsmouth. The solar array at the Glasgow Marriott hotel alone is expected to reduce its grid demand by more than 11% annually. It will also avoid nearly 36 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Other energy efficiency measures are already being rolled out. Voltage optimisation systems have been installed at 21 properties. A separate £250,000 programme upgraded LED lighting and controls at 20 hotels.

Smart Controls and Water Efficiency

A further £1.5 million has been allocated for smart guestroom thermostats and occupancy-led controls. These will be installed across 15 sites. The technology is designed to manage energy use in vacant rooms.

Water efficiency is another focus. Monitoring and flow restriction systems have been introduced at 23 properties. The goal is to improve leak detection and lower overall water consumption.

These upgrades support the environmental commitments of Marriott International brands within Kingfisher's portfolio. They align with Marriott's Serve 360 sustainability framework.

Management Perspective

Andrew Francis, managing director of Kingfisher Hospitality Group, commented on the challenges. "Operating a large hotel portfolio while considering our environmental impact is complex as each property comes with significant energy and water demands," he said. He stated the group is dedicated to taking decisive action, not only making promises.

Francis highlighted the constant operational nature of hotels. "Hotels never switch off. They operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so even relatively small efficiency improvements can have a significant cumulative impact across a portfolio of this size," he explained.

He also noted broader market drivers. Rising energy costs, guest expectations around sustainable travel, and the need to improve performance are pushing greater investment in UK hotel sustainability.

Investor Approach

A spokesperson for Amante Capital outlined their philosophy. "For us, sustainability is part of how we invest in hotels for the long term," they said. The spokesperson added that every improvement helps reduce energy use while making the buildings more resilient and efficient.

The firm's approach is focused on long-term investment that supports both environmental performance and operational resilience. Kingfisher's Francis said he is looking forward to seeing the significant long-term impact of Amante Capital's programme on their properties.