Accor signs three new UK franchise hotels

French-based hotel giant Accor has signed three new franchised properties under its Mercure and Ibis Styles brands.

The new Mercure hotels of Bredbury Hall in Stockport and Dumfries will take the number of UK properties under the brand up to 88. Globally, there are 900 Mercure hotels across 61 countries.

Set to open at the end of 2021, the 125-bedroom Ibis Styles Romford will operate in partnership with Romford South.

The 149-bedroom Bredbury Hall hotel will join the Mercure brand in the fourth quarter of 2021, following a full refurbishment and signing of a franchise agreement with Vine Hotels, headed by chairman Greg Dyke, former director general of the BBC. Vine Hotels already works with Accor as the owner and operator of Mercure Southampton and Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall, alongside developing the new Novotel and Ibis Gateshead Quays project.

The 60-bedroom Mercure Dumfries will open in partnership with Splendid Hospitality Group in the first half of 2022.

Philip Lassman, vice-president, development Accor Northern Europe, said: "As this latest wave of summer signings signify, Accor's non-standardised brands are particularly appealing to hotel developers and owners who wish to retain the services, style and character of the boutique hotels and to delight guests looking for a unique design and storytelling.

"The strength of our non-standardised and conversion brand portfolio such as the Mercure and ibis Styles brands, are attractive solutions for owners seeking global weight and local appeal."

Accor's portfolio of hotels totals 5,100 across 110 countries. Alongside Mercure and Ibis Styles, its 40 brands include Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Novotel and Jo&Joe.