Cedar Court founder to step back from the frontline

He is stepping down from his role as group managing director of the Acropolis Group of Companies, which owns various hospitality and property businesses including Cedar Court Hotels, to take up the position of non-executive chairman of the holding company Acropolis Investments. He will also act as non-executive chairman of the main trading company, Acropolis Hotels.

Mr Demetriou’s first business venture was a coffee shop in Wakefield, which opened in 1960. He opened further coffee shops in Huddersfield, York, Lincoln, Derby, Barnsley, Bradford, Castleford and Leeds and by 1978 had enough capital to be able buy a plot of land next to the M1 motorway near Wakefield, which became the first Cedar Court Hotel.

Between 1993 and 2001 he added three further hotels in Bradford, Huddersfield and Harrogate, and his most recent project was the creation of the five star Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa in York.

Mr Demetriou, who was just 22 when he opened his first coffee shop, said: “After spending over 50 years growing the business to the point where it now encompasses five hotels, a portfolio of investment properties and two coffee bars, the time has come to step aside and allow others to build the future success of the business.

“I have been lucky enough to see my greatest dream realised – to create a five-star hotel in Yorkshire – so the time feels right to pursue new interests. I look forward to spending more time with my family and friends.”

Kevin Henry, the group finance director, will take on the role of group managing director with responsibility for overall business strategy. He will also act as the link between the operating businesses and the shareholding family.

The group hotel director, John Horvath, will continue in that role, and will assume full responsibility for the group’s hotel business.

He said in the next 12 months the plan is to upgrade the group’s hotels in Bradford, Huddersfield and Harrogate, and make further enhancements to The Grand in York.