Jump to content

Britannia Hotels: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
Undid revision 683748813 by Contaldo80 (talk) continued vandalism and mass deletion - do you have nothing better to do?
Line 31: Line 31:
| parent =
| parent =
| divisions =
| divisions =
| subsid = Britannia Adelphi Hotel Ltd<br>Birmingham International Hotel Ltd<br>Ambassador Hotels (Bournemouth) Ltd<br>Ambassador (East Cliff) Ltd<br>Britannia Hotel Bolton Ltd<br>Britannia Hotel Leeds Ltd<br>Britannia Country House Hotel Ltd<br>Britannia Hotel Edinburgh Ltd<br>Britannia Hotel Wolverhampton Ltd
| homepage = {{URL|www.britanniahotels.com}}
| homepage = {{URL|www.britanniahotels.com}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| intl =
| intl =
}}
}}
'''Britannia Hotels''' is a United Kingdom based hotel group with 51 hotels across the country. It includes the [[Pontins]] Holiday Park portfolio. Britannia operates at the budget end of the market with hotels varying in price and star ratings.
'''Britannia Hotels''' is a United Kingdom-based hotel group with 51 hotels across the country. With circa 5,000 employees serving over 7 million guests annually across its hotel and [[Pontins]] Holiday Park portfolio. Britannia operates at the budget end of the market with hotels varying in price and star ratings.


==Overview==
==Overview==
Line 42: Line 41:
Britannia Hotels was founded in 1976 with the purchase of the Britannia Country House Hotel in [[Didsbury]], [[Manchester]]. Its Chief Executive, founder, and largest shareholder remains Alex Langsam. Langsam is a non-domiciled taxpayer, registered as living in Austria for tax-purposes since 1999.<ref>http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/hotel-boss-alex-langsam-loses-800185</ref> His net personal worth was valued at £90 million in 2013 by ''[[The Sunday Times]]''.<ref>https://www.thecaterer.com/#/articles/348222</ref>
Britannia Hotels was founded in 1976 with the purchase of the Britannia Country House Hotel in [[Didsbury]], [[Manchester]]. Its Chief Executive, founder, and largest shareholder remains Alex Langsam. Langsam is a non-domiciled taxpayer, registered as living in Austria for tax-purposes since 1999.<ref>http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/hotel-boss-alex-langsam-loses-800185</ref> His net personal worth was valued at £90 million in 2013 by ''[[The Sunday Times]]''.<ref>https://www.thecaterer.com/#/articles/348222</ref>


Its head office is based in the old town hall in [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]], Manchester. A large cluster of the company's hotels are located in and around Manchester.
Its head office is based in the old town hall in [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]], Manchester. A large cluster of the company's hotels are located in and around Manchester.


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Britannia Manchester.jpg|thumb|Britannia Hotel, Manchester{{puic|Image:Britannia Manchester.jpg|log=2008 February 14}}]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Britannia Manchester.jpg|thumb|Britannia Hotel, Manchester{{puic|Image:Britannia Manchester.jpg|log=2008 February 14}}]] -->


==Acquisitions==
In January 2011, the company bought North West holiday camp business [[Pontins]] out of administration in a £18.5m deal which safeguarded about 1,000 jobs. Following the acquisition Britannia had to deal with a series of complaints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivOxiS7dB9A |title=Anne Robinson Goes Head to Head With Woman From Pontins Following A Watchdog Report |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/complaints_made_over_pontin_s_site_at_pakefield_1_1169546 |title=Complaints made over Pontin’s site at Pakefield - News |publisher=Lowestoft Journal |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Sarah Gordon |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2131013/Pontins-cancels-33-holiday-deal-sell-trip-550.html |title=Pontins cancels £33 holiday deal to re-sell trip for £550 &#124; Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date= 2012-04-17|accessdate=2012-07-24 |location=London}}</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/pontins-camber-sands</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2VhLqbv5SDyD31FtNvVdN5b/pontins-putting-razzle-dazzle-before-health-and-safety</ref><ref>http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/pontins-mass-brawl-southport-holiday-9026245</ref><ref>http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/pakefield_holiday_firm_pontins_rapped_over_misleading_accommodation_advertising_1_2357036</ref><ref>http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/pontins-prestayn-chalet-dirty-beyond-7707529</ref><ref>http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Family-s-Pontins-misery-holiday-hell/story-20083837-detail/story.html</ref><ref>https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/judgments/pontins-sentencing-remarks-04042012/</ref><ref>http://www.qcompliance.co.uk/pontins-holiday-park-breach-health-safety-disastrous-consequences/</ref>
[[File:Watts Warehouse Manchester.jpg|thumb|center|The Britannia Manchester Hotel formerly [[Watts Warehouse]], Manchester]]


After its foundation in 1976 with the purchase of the Britannia Country House Hotel in Didsbury, Manchester, Britannia went onto make the following key acquisitions:
In the 10 years from 2005 to 2015 the Group enjoyed its most rapid period of expansion acquiring 23 hotels - the most recent including The Palace Hotel in [[Buxton]] and The [[Basingstoke]] Country Hotel acquired from [[The Hotel Collection]] <ref>http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/new-owners-for-landmark-buxton-hotel-1-7308704</ref><ref>http://www.christie.com/en/news/2015/06/15/britannia_hotels_continues_expansion_with_two_hotel_acquisitions_18465</ref> and the Trecarn Hotel [[Torquay]] <ref>http://www.rustourismnews.com/?p=45567</ref> and Cavendish Hotel in [[Eastbourne]].

* The second purchase in 1981 was a council owned derelict listed building in central Manchester (the former [[Watts Warehouse]] standing on [[Portland Street, Manchester]]). After redeveloping the unit it opened in May 1982 as the Britannia Hotel Manchester.
* At the end of 1982 [[British Rail]] sold off its hotel division - British Transport Hotels.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Transport_Hotels#Hotel_portfolio</ref> From this sale, in 1983 Britannia bought the [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel]] a hotel in Liverpool.
[[File:Britannia Adelphi 2011.jpg|400px|thumb|center|The [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel]], Liverpool]]
* In 1987 Britannia Hotels converted an unused building in Manchester that used to be the city's [[C&A]] department store - this became the Sachas Hotel.<ref>http://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour4/area4page69.html</ref><ref>http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/manchesters-lost-shops-readers-share-8676904</ref>
* Later in the same year Bosworth Hall, a country house style hotel in [[Market Bosworth]] Warwickshire, was purchased. Bosworth Hall was in the process of being converted from a hospital/nursing home into a hotel and Britannia took over the development from the builders who went bankrupt.
* 1988 saw the purchase and vast development of The International Hotel adjacent to [[Canary Wharf]], in the Heart of London's Docklands. The hotel opened on 9 June 1992.
* A year later, Britannia took over a 187-bedroom hotel in [[Stockport]]. After a period of refurbishment the Britannia Stockport Hotel opened in 1993. In the summer of the same year the Group also purchased the Europa Hotel situated close to [[Gatwick Airport]].
* In the following 10 years the Group went on to acquire a further 16 hotels, located across the UK, in locations such as [[Birmingham]], [[Aberdeen]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]].
* November 2004 saw the acquisition of four Hotels from the Grand Leisure Group. The Grand Hotel in [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]], The Grand Hotel in [[Llandudno]], The Grand Burstin Hotel in [[Folkestone]] and The Grand Metropole in [[Blackpool]].
* In January 2011, the company bought North West holiday camp business [[Pontins]] out of administration in a £18.5m deal which safeguarded about 1,000 jobs. Following the acquisition Britannia had to deal with a series of complaints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivOxiS7dB9A |title=Anne Robinson Goes Head to Head With Woman From Pontins Following A Watchdog Report |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/complaints_made_over_pontin_s_site_at_pakefield_1_1169546 |title=Complaints made over Pontin’s site at Pakefield - News |publisher=Lowestoft Journal |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Sarah Gordon |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2131013/Pontins-cancels-33-holiday-deal-sell-trip-550.html |title=Pontins cancels £33 holiday deal to re-sell trip for £550 &#124; Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date= 2012-04-17|accessdate=2012-07-24 |location=London}}</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/pontins-camber-sands</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2VhLqbv5SDyD31FtNvVdN5b/pontins-putting-razzle-dazzle-before-health-and-safety</ref><ref>http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/pontins-mass-brawl-southport-holiday-9026245</ref><ref>http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/pakefield_holiday_firm_pontins_rapped_over_misleading_accommodation_advertising_1_2357036</ref><ref>http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/pontins-prestayn-chalet-dirty-beyond-7707529</ref><ref>http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Family-s-Pontins-misery-holiday-hell/story-20083837-detail/story.html</ref><ref>https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/judgments/pontins-sentencing-remarks-04042012/</ref><ref>http://www.qcompliance.co.uk/pontins-holiday-park-breach-health-safety-disastrous-consequences/</ref>
* In the 10 years from 2005 to 2015 the Group enjoyed its most rapid period of expansion acquiring 23 hotels - the most recent including The Palace Hotel in [[Buxton]] and The [[Basingstoke]] Country Hotel acquired from [[The Hotel Collection]] <ref>http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/new-owners-for-landmark-buxton-hotel-1-7308704</ref><ref>http://www.christie.com/en/news/2015/06/15/britannia_hotels_continues_expansion_with_two_hotel_acquisitions_18465</ref> and the Trecarn Hotel [[Torquay]] <ref>http://www.rustourismnews.com/?p=45567</ref> and Cavendish Hotel in [[Eastbourne]].

==Events==

In the mid-1980s, Alex Langsam, owner of the Britannia Hotel Group, acquired the [[Listed building|Grade II* listed]] [[London Road Fire Station (Manchester)|London Road Fire Station]] in Manchester. Proposals have been made to redevelop it into a hotel and offices, however the plans have been delayed. In 2006 it was placed on English Heritage's register of "at risk" historical buildings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/204/204130_allaction_station.html|title=All-action station|date=11 February 2006|work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> The city council has attempted to compulsorily purchase the building<ref>[http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/EXCLUSIVE-Alex-Langsam-breaks-silence_12154.asp Alex Langsam Breaks Silence] Manchester Confidential Sept 9, 2010</ref> but on 29 November 2011, it was rejected.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1466341_manchester-council-loses-700000-bid-to-force-sale-of-london-road-fire-station|title=Manchester council loses £700,000 bid to force sale of London Road Fire Station|date=29 November 2011|work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>


In 2008 as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations, a musical based on the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, written and directed by Phil Willmott, [[Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi]] ran at the Liverpool Playhouse from 30 June until 2 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britanniahotels.com/iCMS/images_site/source%20files/ADELPHI2.jpg |title=Adelphi Hotel Play |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref>
In 2008 as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations, a musical based on the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, written and directed by Phil Willmott, [[Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi]] ran at the Liverpool Playhouse from 30 June until 2 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britanniahotels.com/iCMS/images_site/source%20files/ADELPHI2.jpg |title=Adelphi Hotel Play |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref>
Line 54: Line 70:
In early 2014 [[Michael Palin]] and [[Mark Addy]] were filmed within the Grand Scarbrough Hotel for scenes for the BBC drama [[Remember Me (TV series)]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2561354/Michael-Palin-films-leading-TV-role-20-years-frail-pensioner-supernatural-drama-Remember-Me.html}}</ref>
In early 2014 [[Michael Palin]] and [[Mark Addy]] were filmed within the Grand Scarbrough Hotel for scenes for the BBC drama [[Remember Me (TV series)]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2561354/Michael-Palin-films-leading-TV-role-20-years-frail-pensioner-supernatural-drama-Remember-Me.html}}</ref>


==Awards/Nominations==
==Controversies==


*In 2011 Britannia won the category of 'Most Group-Friendly Hotel Chain or Group' in the Group Travel Awards.<ref>http://grouptravelawards.com/2011-results/</ref>
In the mid-1980s, Alex Langsam, owner of the Britannia Hotel Group, acquired the [[Listed building|Grade II* listed]] [[London Road Fire Station (Manchester)|London Road Fire Station]] in Manchester. Proposals have been made to redevelop it into a hotel and offices, however the plans have been delayed. In 2006 it was placed on English Heritage's register of "at risk" historical buildings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/204/204130_allaction_station.html|title=All-action station|date=11 February 2006|work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> The city council has attempted to compulsorily purchase the building<ref>[http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/EXCLUSIVE-Alex-Langsam-breaks-silence_12154.asp Alex Langsam Breaks Silence] Manchester Confidential Sept 9, 2010</ref> but on 29 November 2011, it was rejected.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1466341_manchester-council-loses-700000-bid-to-force-sale-of-london-road-fire-station|title=Manchester council loses £700,000 bid to force sale of London Road Fire Station|date=29 November 2011|work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>
*In 2013 Pontins was awarded the UKCSI Award for Most Improved Organisation at the 2013 UK Customer Satisfaction Awards.<ref>https://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/167-10666/UK-Customer-Satisfaction-Awards---winners-announced.html</ref> Alongside [[Butlins]] and [[Expedia]], [[Pontins]] continued this success by improving their scores by more than one point in the 2015 UK Institute of Customer Service Survey.<ref>https://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/17439/Customers-will-pay-for-excellent-service-in-the-tourism-sector.html</ref>
*In 2015 Pontins was voted as a finalist by the travel agent readers in the 'Star Holiday Parks Operator' category of the Travel Bulletin 'Star Awards'.<ref>http://www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards/awards-finalists-2015</ref>


==Controversy==
In 2005 and 2006 the Grand Hotel in Scarborough and the Adelphi were investigated by the BBC over theft and hygiene.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5217272.stm | work=BBC News | title=Hotel rejects 'theft hotspot' tag | date=2006-07-26}}</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/series7/dirty_hotel.shtml</ref>

In 2005 and 2006 the Grand Hotel in Scarborough and the Adelphi were investigated by the BBC.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5217272.stm | work=BBC News | title=Hotel rejects 'theft hotspot' tag | date=2006-07-26}}</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/series7/dirty_hotel.shtml</ref>


In 2007 the Britannia hotel in Stockport was listed on TripAdvisor as among Britain's dirtiest.<ref>{{cite web|author=Paul R Taylor |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1016113_dirtiest_hotel_fined_36000 |title='Dirtiest hotel' fined £36,000 &#124; Manchester Evening News |publisher=menmedia.co.uk |date=2007-09-12 |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref> Whilst others have been prosecuted, for example Coventry <ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30533792</ref> and the [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel]] in Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ADELPHI+IN+COURT+OVER+DROWNING%3B+Hotel+denies+two+safety+breaches.-a0214611927 |title=ADELPHI IN COURT OVER DROWNING; Hotel denies two safety breaches. - Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref>
In 2007 the Britannia hotel in Stockport was listed on TripAdvisor as among Britain's dirtiest.<ref>{{cite web|author=Paul R Taylor |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1016113_dirtiest_hotel_fined_36000 |title='Dirtiest hotel' fined £36,000 &#124; Manchester Evening News |publisher=menmedia.co.uk |date=2007-09-12 |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref> Whilst others have been prosecuted, for example Coventry <ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30533792</ref> and the [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel]] in Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ADELPHI+IN+COURT+OVER+DROWNING%3B+Hotel+denies+two+safety+breaches.-a0214611927 |title=ADELPHI IN COURT OVER DROWNING; Hotel denies two safety breaches. - Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-24}}</ref>


In 2013 the chain was successfully prosecuted for putting guests and construction workers at risk of asbestos fibre exposure at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone.<ref>http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/450963-britannia-hotels-slammed-over-asbestos-case.html</ref>
In 2013 the chain was successfully prosecuted for putting guests and construction workers at risk of asbestos fibre exposure at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone.<ref>http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/450963-britannia-hotels-slammed-over-asbestos-case.html</ref>

==Awards/Nominations==

*In 2011 Britannia won the category of 'Most Group-Friendly Hotel Chain or Group' in the Group Travel Awards.<ref>http://grouptravelawards.com/2011-results/</ref>

*In 2013 Pontins was awarded the UKCSI Award for Most Improved Organisation at the 2013 UK Customer Satisfaction Awards.<ref>https://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/167-10666/UK-Customer-Satisfaction-Awards---winners-announced.html</ref> Alongside [[Butlins]] and [[Expedia]], [[Pontins]] continued this success by improving their scores by more than one point in the 2015 UK Institute of Customer Service Survey.<ref>https://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/17439/Customers-will-pay-for-excellent-service-in-the-tourism-sector.html</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 14:23, 2 October 2015

Britannia Hotels Limited
Company typePrivate
IndustryHotels & Hospitality
HeadquartersHale, Greater Manchester, England
Number of locations
51 hotels across the UK
Key people
Alex Langsam CEO
Robert Ferrari CFO
Eileen Downey
ProductsHotels and property development
ServicesConference room hire, banqueting functions, health club membership
RevenueIncrease £55.448m (2011)[1]
Increase £8.752m (2011)
Increase £8.138m (2011)
OwnerA.Langsam
Hawksford Trust Company Jersey Limited
Number of employees
1,393
Websitewww.britanniahotels.com

Britannia Hotels is a United Kingdom-based hotel group with 51 hotels across the country. With circa 5,000 employees serving over 7 million guests annually across its hotel and Pontins Holiday Park portfolio. Britannia operates at the budget end of the market with hotels varying in price and star ratings.

Overview

Britannia Hotels was founded in 1976 with the purchase of the Britannia Country House Hotel in Didsbury, Manchester. Its Chief Executive, founder, and largest shareholder remains Alex Langsam. Langsam is a non-domiciled taxpayer, registered as living in Austria for tax-purposes since 1999.[2] His net personal worth was valued at £90 million in 2013 by The Sunday Times.[3]

Its head office is based in the old town hall in Hale, Manchester. A large cluster of the company's hotels are located in and around Manchester.


Acquisitions

The Britannia Manchester Hotel formerly Watts Warehouse, Manchester

After its foundation in 1976 with the purchase of the Britannia Country House Hotel in Didsbury, Manchester, Britannia went onto make the following key acquisitions:

  • The second purchase in 1981 was a council owned derelict listed building in central Manchester (the former Watts Warehouse standing on Portland Street, Manchester). After redeveloping the unit it opened in May 1982 as the Britannia Hotel Manchester.
  • At the end of 1982 British Rail sold off its hotel division - British Transport Hotels.[4] From this sale, in 1983 Britannia bought the Britannia Adelphi Hotel a hotel in Liverpool.
The Britannia Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool
  • In 1987 Britannia Hotels converted an unused building in Manchester that used to be the city's C&A department store - this became the Sachas Hotel.[5][6]
  • Later in the same year Bosworth Hall, a country house style hotel in Market Bosworth Warwickshire, was purchased. Bosworth Hall was in the process of being converted from a hospital/nursing home into a hotel and Britannia took over the development from the builders who went bankrupt.
  • 1988 saw the purchase and vast development of The International Hotel adjacent to Canary Wharf, in the Heart of London's Docklands. The hotel opened on 9 June 1992.
  • A year later, Britannia took over a 187-bedroom hotel in Stockport. After a period of refurbishment the Britannia Stockport Hotel opened in 1993. In the summer of the same year the Group also purchased the Europa Hotel situated close to Gatwick Airport.
  • In the following 10 years the Group went on to acquire a further 16 hotels, located across the UK, in locations such as Birmingham, Aberdeen and Newcastle.
  • November 2004 saw the acquisition of four Hotels from the Grand Leisure Group. The Grand Hotel in Scarborough, The Grand Hotel in Llandudno, The Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone and The Grand Metropole in Blackpool.
  • In January 2011, the company bought North West holiday camp business Pontins out of administration in a £18.5m deal which safeguarded about 1,000 jobs. Following the acquisition Britannia had to deal with a series of complaints.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
  • In the 10 years from 2005 to 2015 the Group enjoyed its most rapid period of expansion acquiring 23 hotels - the most recent including The Palace Hotel in Buxton and The Basingstoke Country Hotel acquired from The Hotel Collection [18][19] and the Trecarn Hotel Torquay [20] and Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne.

Events

In the mid-1980s, Alex Langsam, owner of the Britannia Hotel Group, acquired the Grade II* listed London Road Fire Station in Manchester. Proposals have been made to redevelop it into a hotel and offices, however the plans have been delayed. In 2006 it was placed on English Heritage's register of "at risk" historical buildings.[21] The city council has attempted to compulsorily purchase the building[22] but on 29 November 2011, it was rejected.[23]

In 2008 as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations, a musical based on the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, written and directed by Phil Willmott, Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi ran at the Liverpool Playhouse from 30 June until 2 August.[24]

In early 2014 Michael Palin and Mark Addy were filmed within the Grand Scarbrough Hotel for scenes for the BBC drama Remember Me (TV series).[25]

Awards/Nominations

  • In 2011 Britannia won the category of 'Most Group-Friendly Hotel Chain or Group' in the Group Travel Awards.[26]
  • In 2013 Pontins was awarded the UKCSI Award for Most Improved Organisation at the 2013 UK Customer Satisfaction Awards.[27] Alongside Butlins and Expedia, Pontins continued this success by improving their scores by more than one point in the 2015 UK Institute of Customer Service Survey.[28]
  • In 2015 Pontins was voted as a finalist by the travel agent readers in the 'Star Holiday Parks Operator' category of the Travel Bulletin 'Star Awards'.[29]

Controversy

In 2005 and 2006 the Grand Hotel in Scarborough and the Adelphi were investigated by the BBC.[30][31]

In 2007 the Britannia hotel in Stockport was listed on TripAdvisor as among Britain's dirtiest.[32] Whilst others have been prosecuted, for example Coventry [33] and the Britannia Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.[34]

In 2013 the chain was successfully prosecuted for putting guests and construction workers at risk of asbestos fibre exposure at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone.[35]

References

  1. ^ Britannia Hotels Ltd, Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011
  2. ^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/hotel-boss-alex-langsam-loses-800185
  3. ^ https://www.thecaterer.com/#/articles/348222
  4. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Transport_Hotels#Hotel_portfolio
  5. ^ http://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour4/area4page69.html
  6. ^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/manchesters-lost-shops-readers-share-8676904
  7. ^ "Anne Robinson Goes Head to Head With Woman From Pontins Following A Watchdog Report". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  8. ^ "Complaints made over Pontin's site at Pakefield - News". Lowestoft Journal. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  9. ^ Sarah Gordon (2012-04-17). "Pontins cancels £33 holiday deal to re-sell trip for £550 | Mail Online". London: Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  10. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/pontins-camber-sands
  11. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2VhLqbv5SDyD31FtNvVdN5b/pontins-putting-razzle-dazzle-before-health-and-safety
  12. ^ http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/pontins-mass-brawl-southport-holiday-9026245
  13. ^ http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/pakefield_holiday_firm_pontins_rapped_over_misleading_accommodation_advertising_1_2357036
  14. ^ http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/pontins-prestayn-chalet-dirty-beyond-7707529
  15. ^ http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Family-s-Pontins-misery-holiday-hell/story-20083837-detail/story.html
  16. ^ https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/judgments/pontins-sentencing-remarks-04042012/
  17. ^ http://www.qcompliance.co.uk/pontins-holiday-park-breach-health-safety-disastrous-consequences/
  18. ^ http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/new-owners-for-landmark-buxton-hotel-1-7308704
  19. ^ http://www.christie.com/en/news/2015/06/15/britannia_hotels_continues_expansion_with_two_hotel_acquisitions_18465
  20. ^ http://www.rustourismnews.com/?p=45567
  21. ^ "All-action station". Manchester Evening News. 11 February 2006.
  22. ^ Alex Langsam Breaks Silence Manchester Confidential Sept 9, 2010
  23. ^ "Manchester council loses £700,000 bid to force sale of London Road Fire Station". Manchester Evening News. 29 November 2011.
  24. ^ "Adelphi Hotel Play". Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  25. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2561354/Michael-Palin-films-leading-TV-role-20-years-frail-pensioner-supernatural-drama-Remember-Me.html. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ^ http://grouptravelawards.com/2011-results/
  27. ^ https://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/167-10666/UK-Customer-Satisfaction-Awards---winners-announced.html
  28. ^ https://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/17439/Customers-will-pay-for-excellent-service-in-the-tourism-sector.html
  29. ^ http://www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards/awards-finalists-2015
  30. ^ "Hotel rejects 'theft hotspot' tag". BBC News. 2006-07-26.
  31. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/series7/dirty_hotel.shtml
  32. ^ Paul R Taylor (2007-09-12). "'Dirtiest hotel' fined £36,000 | Manchester Evening News". menmedia.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  33. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30533792
  34. ^ "ADELPHI IN COURT OVER DROWNING; Hotel denies two safety breaches. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  35. ^ http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/450963-britannia-hotels-slammed-over-asbestos-case.html