QHotels Acquires Marston Hotels Ltd
Saturday 4th November 2006
Leeds based QHotels Group today announce the acquisition of Marston Hotels Ltd in a £180 million deal.
Marston Hotels, winners of AA Hotel Group of the Year in 2002, is an independent hotel chain with 12 luxury hotels; the purchase of the group sees QHotels portfolio literally grow overnight from 9 hotels to a total of 21.
QHotels Group was formed in 2003 by Michael Purtill, Ian Goulding, and David Taylor, in partnership with investment company Alchemy Partners. In less than 3 years the initial 3 flagship hotels that included The Midland in Manchester, The Queens in Leeds and Chesford Grange in Warwick, quickly expanded to 9 prestigious 4-star deluxe hotels around the UK. The acquisition of Marston Hotels, the transaction of which was advised by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, is the next stage of QHotels planned investment and growth in the hotel industry.
Michael Purtill, Managing Director of QHotels says: “This is an exciting time for us; Marston is a highly reputable hotel chain with properties situated in key strategic locations across the UK. The 12 hotels are already well established in their own right and we recognise they have many qualities that they can bring to QHotels, one area in particular being a very strong health & leisure brand ‘Reflections', which is something we are keen to develop and share across the group”
Michael adds: “This acquisition is an excellent progression for us as a group; it will enhance the strength of QHotels in the market and with the additional hotels presenting an extra 1200 bedrooms, there will be added benefits for our customers, offering more choice of both facilities and locations.”
QHotels have an unrivalled reputation when it comes to investment in their properties, having already invested over £65 million in refurbishing their existing 9 hotels.
The New Year will be an exciting time for QHotels. A major investment and development plan for the newly extended Group is to be introduced, details of which are to be unveiled soon.
To see all 21 luxury QHotels please visit www.qhotels.co.uk and www.marstonhotels.com
For an interview with Michael Purtill, Managing Director of QHotels, or further media information contact Karen Monks at Bird Consultancy on: 0161 839 4846 or email km@birdconsultancy.co.uk
Editors Notes:
- QHotels Group is a Leeds based hotel chain, formed in 2003 by a management team consisting of Managing Director Michael Purtill, Sales Director David Taylor and Financial Director Ian Goulding in collaboration with the investment company Alchemy Partners.
- QHotels acquired Marston Hotels on 14 November 2006 for a purchase price of £180 million.
- Marston Hotels de-merged from W.J. Marston Holdings Ltd in April 2000 to become a fully independent chain of luxury 4-star hotels.
- The 12 new hotels include Aldwark Manor near York, Bridgewood Manor in Kent, Crewe Hall in Cheshire, Hellidon Lakes in Northamptonshire, Stratford Manor in Stratford-upon-Avon, Tankersley Manor near Sheffield, The Cambridge Belfry in Cambourne, Stratford Victoria in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Hampshire Court in Basingstoke, The Hythe Imperial in Kent, The Nottingham Belfry in Nottingham and The Oxford Belfry in Oxford.
- The 9 existing QHotels are The Queens in Leeds, The Midland in Manchester, Chesford Grange in Warwick, The Westerwood near Glasgow, Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Club in North Lincolnshire, The Park Royal in Cheshire, The Chase Hotel in Cheltenham, Norton Park in Winchester, and Ashford International Hotel in Kent.
