8 Apr 2011 09:28
For immediate release 8 April 2011
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc ("M&C")
New Zealand Earthquake - update
The following announcement was released earlier today by M&C's subsidiary, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Limited ("MCK") which is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. M&C has a 70.2% interest in MCK.
Enquiries:
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc
Beng-Lan Low, SVP Finance/Adrian Bushnell, Company Secretary Tel: +44 (0) 20 7872 2444
Subject : MCK: CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE UPDATE - 8 April 2011
Millennium and Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Ltd (MCK) has the following updates in regards to its hotels in Christchurch:
Copthorne Hotel Christchurch City (formerly Copthorne Hotel Durham Street) remains on the Civil Defence Critical Building Management program as a result of the damage suffered during the 22 February earthquake. Work has been completed to stabilise the building and more in-depth inspections will be undertaken to confirm if demolition is required. MCK will not be accepting future reservations at this hotel until further notice.
Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central remains under a Restricted Use Notice however the adjoining parking structure has been assessed as unsafe. Both structures require further inspections and have been added to the Civil Defence Critical Building Management program. MCK will not be accepting future reservations at this hotel for the remainder of 2011.
Millennium Hotel Christchurch has now been issued with a Restricted Use Notice. The location of this hotel in the centre of the Civil Defence cordon and its proximity to unsafe buildings has resulted in MCK not accepting future bookings for the remainder of 2011.
MCK has sufficient insurance cover in respect of the building damage and repair and for interruption to its business as a result of the 22 February earthquake. Claims have been filed with its insurers.
Copthorne Hotel Commodore, Christchurch Airport suffered little damage and remains open. This hotel is a franchised property.
MCKs website (www.millenniumhotels.co.nz) has been updated with this information and includes a section where guests of the hotels at the time of the earthquake can register their details for updates in regards to recovery of personal items when access is granted by the authorities.
MCK will continue to provide updates to the market as required.
ENDS
Issued by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Ltd
Any inquiries please contact:
B K Chiu, Managing Director
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Ltd
(09) 913 8058