Accor is set to open four new hotels in London in October; a Novotel and ibis hotel in Blackfriars, a second ibis hotel in Shepherd’s Bush and a new addition to the growing Mercure hotel portfolio, opening in Greenwich.

During this important year for London, Accor aims to further expand its presence in the city by developing new hotels, creating jobs and investing in the training and development of young people in the hospitality industry.

This year alone Accor UK & Ireland is opening more than 1,000 additional bedrooms in London, across six new hotel openings and two extensions to existing hotels.

In addition, this year Accor is investing in the refurbishment of a further 12 London hotels.

This brings the group’s London portfolio to 53 hotels and well over nine thousand bedrooms across the capital.

The announcement follows recent openings in Croydon, Whitechapel and King’s Cross.

Commenting on the opening of the new hotels, Thomas Dubaere, managing director, Accor UK & Ireland, said: “2012 is an incredibly important year for London.

“As the market leader in Europe and a key business player in the hospitality industry, Accor has treated this important year as a strategic opportunity to boost our presence in the UK’s capital by investing in upcoming areas such as Shepherd’s Bush, Blackfriars, Whitechapel and King’s Cross, and improving the training and development of young people in the hospitality industry, to ensure a long term legacy for 2012 and beyond.”