Dublin-based Dalata Hotel Group is eyeing expansion in the UK after seeing its profits surge by 55 per cent.

The group’s profit before tax increased to £37.6m year-on-year as a result of a 28.8 per cent growth in revenue to £247.7m.

To capitalise on this growth, the company plans to build on its existing UK portfolio.

Dalata – which operates Ireland’s two largest hotel brands, Clayton Hotels and Maldron Hotels – operates 41 hotels and 8,000 rooms.

It has a current pipeline of 1,200 new rooms, with four hotels being constructed in Belfast and Newcastle, as well as two in Dublin.

There are also plans to build another property in Cork, Ireland.

Last year, Dalata opened seven hotels and approximately 1,600 rooms.

“Given our ambition to grow in the large cities of provincial UK, I was particularly happy to see the extent to which we outperformed the market in terms of growth in Manchester, Cardiff and Leeds,” said Dalata Group chief executive Pat McCann.

“We intend to expand our hotel portfolio, particularly in the UK, seeking new or existing hotel opportunities which match investment criteria.”