THE hotel and hospitality sector in Cheshire East is celebrating the new year as new figures show a 6.3 per cent rise in occupancy rates on the same month last year.

Despite tending to see a post-Christmas lull, the percentage of rooms let rose from 57.3 per cent in January 2017 to 60.9 per cent in January 2018. The figures are an encouraging sign that the borough’s visitor economy remains strong.

The occupancy figures are a strong indicator of just how well the hotel sector in Cheshire East is performing against other visitor destinations, such as Chester, Cheshire West and Liverpool.

Frank Jordan, Cheshire East Council’s executive director of place, said: “It is very pleasing to see that this element of the borough’s visitor economy continues to perform well.”

Further evidence can be found in the revenue figures, with the average daily rate paid per room increasing by 1.2 per cent and the overall revenue generated per room put at 7.6 per cent more than for the same month in 2017.

Chester saw a 7.1 per cent increase, while Liverpool and Manchester experienced a marginal fall off in business.

Mr Jordan added: “As a council, we recognise the importance of this sector to the economy as a whole, making Cheshire East a great place to visit and stay.”