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Major hotel groups are understood to have delayed millions of pounds worth of programmes as the downturn continues. The groups, thought to include the InterContinental and Hilton, are understood to have acted in order to keep as many rooms open and available for letting as possible.

One source close to InterContinental said: 鈥淚t has stopped a chunk of its planned refurbishment work. Some programmes have been stopped part way through and whole floors that were due for refurbishment have been stalled. In some cases, furniture has been ordered, but is being held in a warehouse until the programmes start up again.鈥�

The supply chains for these contracts, which are worth about 拢5m upwards, have been told that work is not likely to pick up until 2010 at the earliest.

Some say their workload has fallen by as much as 80%. One senior industry source said: 鈥淭here are plenty of architects who were specialising in this sector that are now working two-day weeks until things pick up.鈥�

In some cases, new furniture has been ordered, but is being held in a warehouse

Source close to Intercontinental

Refurbishment work was expected to buoy the hotels sector after new-build work began to dry up at the end of last year.

Steve Lacey, head of Davis Langdon鈥檚 hotel specialist group, said the dearth of work meant the company had taken 40% fee cuts. He said: 鈥淔or contractors, there is huge competition to win work. Most are having to work on a profit margin close to zero, rather than the 10% they made 18 months ago.鈥�

Robert Shepherd, vice president of hotel services at InterContinental Hotels Group, said: 鈥淒espite the challenge of the economic climate, our owners are continuing to invest in our hotels as we continue to grow.鈥�

Hilton said it had renovated the meeting rooms at its Park Lane hotel.