RYAN Giggs’ own hotel has lost a staggering £3.2million in just TWO years – its firm now owes more than £10million in loans.
Hotel Football near Old Trafford is drowning in debt as its co-owner Giggs faces a potential retrial over charges of headbutting his ex-girlfriend.
The footie-themed hotel, which opened in 2015, overlooks Man Utd’s home ground and sells itself as a fan-favourite.
Yet the trendy tower hasn’t quite been the victory Giggs and former teammate Gary Neville had hoped for.
Business accounts filed this week exposed how the rooms rapidly lost cash in just two years.
Old Trafford Supports Club Ltd, the pair’s company behind the business, lost an eye-watering £1,148,879 in 2021 and a further £2,042,812 in 2020.
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The firm also pulled a restaurant from the National Museum of Football to save cash, documents have revealed.
Gigg’s co-owner Neville blamed the pandemic for the hotel’s poor figures, saying their bookings and finances had been “hit drastically” by lockdown restrictions.
The footie legend told the Daily Star, “challenges around inflation and the labour market continue up to this day”, but added that there are plans in the works to improve the business’ prospects.
He said: “The directors have continued their policy of investing in the hotel to improve operational performance and to promote the Hotel Football brand even post the pandemic year.
“The directors feel that whatever the case the quality of the brand and of the property they manage cannot be sacrificed.”
Luckily, Neville said this year’s figures were “very encouraging” as the UK hospitality industry returns to pre-pandemic levels.
He also confirmed that the firm’s parent company Orchid Leisure Ltd had loaned the hotel £10.2m to keep it afloat.
Ryan Giggs’ charges of actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour are not the only issue to be linked to Hotel Football’s name.
The Sun later reported in 2016 that the rooms were being used as a base for prostitutes.
A sex agency was being inundated with calls from footie fans looking to romp with one of 30 girls listed online.
STADIUM VIEW ROOMS
And an escort claimed to have bedded eight clients since the four-star Manchester hotel’s launch.
We also revealed cocaine was found in the toilets just a year after the hotel opened.
Tests on three cubicles revealed traces of for the Class A drug on loo roll casings and toilet lids.
A small trace was also found on the disabled loos handrail next to the
family-friendly reception area. Club officials will be horrified.
Photos on the hotel’s website advertise the rooms which overlook the iconic stadium.
Football-shaped mints appear to be placed on the pillows which are embroidered with the words “dreaming of victory”.
Posters of footballs and nets decorate the walls of the family-sized “Squad Rooms”.
Some pictures of the “Class of ’92 Rooms” show football shirts and quotes from sporting legends adorning the walls – with one photo even showing a framed photo of Giggs himself above the bed’s headboard.
Downstairs guests can eat “Veganaldo”, “Messi Fries” or “Giggsy grilled Cumberland sausage” at Cafe Football.
On Wednesday, Giggs dropped his head when he heard any future trial might not be until at least June next YEAR as the jury was dismissed.
The 48-year-old stood trial accused of headbutting PR exec Kate Greville, 38, and coercively controlling her over a three year period – but jurors failed to reach a verdict and the trial collapsed.
He denied the charges, as well as an allegation he attacked Kate’s sister Emma, 26.
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Manchester Crown Court told the ex-player a hearing will be held on Wednesday next week, September 7, to decide when a potential retrial would be.
The judge warned Giggs that he may be waiting until June 2023 at the earliest for any future trial – a decision to be made at next week’s hearing.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
