B&B Hotels announces takeover of Pentahotel in Inverness, in first Scottish site for major budget hotelier
A major European budget hotels chain has chosen Inverness as one of its first forays into the UK market - after buying up the city’s Pentahotel site.
B&B Hotels was founded in Brittany in France in 1990 and has since expanded into 17 countries where it operates almost 800 hotels.
But it is a newcomer to the UK, having announced the acquisition of its first hotel in Britain in February - a site at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5.
And it has now taken its UK portfolio up to six after announcing the takeover of five hotels at locations dotted around the UK - including its first Scottish site in Inverness.
It has taken over the Pentahotel on Academy Street, which will begin operating as a B&B Hotel from July 19.
The hotel is expected to undergo “light renovations” in the coming months to bring it in line with the new chain’s branding and specifications - but it will remain open throughout, and existing staff will be kept on.
Announcing the takeover, Fabrice Collet, president and chief executive officer of B&B Hotels, said: “This latest takeover of five hotels follows our first hotel at Heathrow Terminal 5 and is an important step in our UK expansion plans – and our global ambition to have 3,000 hotels within 10 years.
“Our successful growth model and commitment to value for our guests have made us a beloved brand across Europe, and we’re excited to bring that same experience to guests in the UK.”
The chain’s move into the UK market may be in its infancy, but it has ambitious plans - hoping to take its UK portfolio to 100 hotels by 2035.
Patrick O’Connell, chief executive of B&B Hotels UK said: “Today’s announcement represents an exciting step for our UK presence – with B&B Hotels becoming part of the community in Birmingham, Ipswich, Inverness, Warrington and Derby.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to our hotels in these locations as we continue to drive forward our expansion into other towns, cities, tourism and leisure hotspots across the United Kingdom.”
Founded in Brest in 1990, B&B Hotels now has a network of 770 sites in countries across Europe, Brazil and the USA.
It has enjoyed “exponential” growth in recent years, as it has embarked on a rapid expansion and hopes to achieve similar success in the UK - with an ambition to operate 100 hotels in the UK by 2035. To that end it is continuing to “seek partnerships with existing hotel owners, developers, landowners, funds and real estate owners” to deliver its expansion plans.
Positioned in the value-for-money segment, B&B Hotels said it was “committed to offering its guests comfort and quality at the best value for money”.
The firm added that it is also “actively committed to corporate social responsibility” and is now certified in sustainability by the independent organisation SOCOTEC.
For more information about B&B Hotels, visit bbhotels.com.
