T5 hotel backers refute claims of delays to project

Backers of a new luxury hotel next to Heathrow's T5 have dismissed fears among the workforce that this month's planned opening could be delayed.

M&E workers on the £180m Sofitel London Heathrow told CJ: "There's a lot of work still to be done down here and it's looking like a struggle to have everything done by the June opening date."

Electricians working on the job have already been offered a string of incentives to get it finished on time.

Workers have been promised a free night's stay for them and a partner, plus an end-of-project party.

The timetable has already slipped from the original opening date of March designed to coincide with the opening date of T5.

Crown House is finishing the project, which connects directly via a link bridge to the terminal.

A Sofitel London Heathrow spokesman said: "The hotel is on track for a late June 2008 opening."