The Prime Minister, David Cameron, officially opened the Crowne Plaza at Heythrop Park Resort in his constituency of Witney on Friday 22nd Oct. The opening of the chic and sophisticated 197 bedroom Crowne Plaza is the culmination of a £50 million investment. The new hotel opens alongside the existing 18th Century Heythrop Park Hotel, in 440 acres of glorious Oxfordshire countryside.

In addition to the two individual hotels, the Resort facilities include a choice of four restaurants and bars, a recently refurbished Health Club and Spa, state of the art conference facilities including the unique conference theatre for up to 350 delegates and the new Ballroom for up to 450 and a new 18 hole golf course by renowned course architect Tom Mackenzie. The championship standard golf course is set to become one of the finest courses in the UK, as well as being a possible contender for a European Tour in 2011.

Prime Minister David Cameron commented "Tourism is our third biggest export earner, with one in ten people in West Oxfordshire being employed in the sector. The investment and imagination Firoz Kassam has injected into Heythrop Park demonstrates that it is this country's entrepreneurs who will help fire the economy."

Chairman of the Firoka Group and owner of Heythrop Park Resort Mr Firoz Kassam, announced that he “was privileged to welcome the Prime Minister back to Oxford for the opening of the Crowne Plaza. Heythrop Park Resort will be one of the UK’s largest and most exciting hotel and golf developments in undoubtedly one of Britain’s most beautiful counties and we are delighted to have Mr Cameron’s support.”

Since introducing Crowne Plaza to Europe more than 20 years ago, IHG has become one of the world's fastest growing upscale hotel brands. Kirk Kinsell, IHG's President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "Crowne Plaza Heythrop Park confirms this position by offering a wide variety of impressive business and leisure facilities. Crowne Plaza hotels are in more than 50 countries and there are currently 21 hotels open in the UK. The brand is dedicated to ensuring that guests get the most out of their business trips."

Contact Details:
Heythrop Park Resort, Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 5UE
www.heythropparkresort.co.uk / +44 (0) 1608 673333

Press Enquiries: The Brighter Group, 020 7326 9880
Nell Hegarty / nell.hegarty@brightergroup.com
Lucy Newman / lucy.newman@brightergroup.com