Blackpool hotel controversially rebrands as ‘Viagra hotel'

The Vidella hotel in Blackpool has controversially rebranded itself as the ‘Viagra hotel', to the dismay of local officials.

The 29-bedroom hotel on Dickson road also markets itself with the phrase "We will keep you up all night".

Hotel owner Neil Marshall explained that he decided to change the name to clarify the hotel's position as a budget hotel and make it stand out.

"The Vidella had quite a bad name to it - and the type of clientele coming here thought they were going to come into a posh location," he said.

However plenty of others have not seen the funny side, with local councillors complaining that it's inappropriate and tourist organisations claiming it may put off good quality guests. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer, which owns the Viagra brand, has also been reported as planning to take action against the hotel.

The hotel was previously featured on Alex Polizzi's Hotel Inspector as the Vidella when it was owned by John Downer and Neil Williams.

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