Founded by Lawrence and Katie Kenwright in 2008, the Signature Living Group owns four hotels in Liverpool, including the Titanic-themed 30 James Street and The Shankly. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool hotel and property developer Signature Living is reporting record annual profits of £5.6m.

This is a 262% increase on the previous year’s figure of £1.6m for the group which employs hundreds of people in the city and has undergone a rapid expansion.

Founded by Lawrence and Katie Kenwright in 2008, the Signature Living Group owns four hotels in Liverpool, including the Titanic-themed 30 James Street and The Shankly.

Recent years have seen the firm branching out into residential development as well as new hotels in Belfast, Cardiff and Preston.

In Northern Ireland, Signature has purchased the city’s famous Crumlin Road Courthouse and plans to turn it into a new hotel and tourist attraction.

In Belfast city centre, the Scottish Mutual Building will become a luxury hotel.

Last week the company unveiled the first phase of its new 200-bedroom Exchange Hotel in Cardiff Bay.

The historic Coal Exchange building, where the world’s first £1m cheque was signed, has been saved from rot and ruin, with 40 bedrooms currently open for bookings.

Group chairman Lawrence Kenwright said: “This is a phenomenal set of results, with all of our hotels, restaurants and bars making a strong contribution.

“Signature Living has experienced remarkable growth, and our investors, stakeholders and hard-working employees are delighted with the results.

“Over the next 12 months, our focus is firmly on the expansion of our hotel portfolio. We will seek every opportunity to increase profitable turnover even further than our projected £20m.”

The Signature Living Group’s journey started with just one serviced apartment in June 2008.