IHG to launch two Holiday Inn Express hotels in Grimsby and Middlesbrough
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of two new hotels under its budget brand Holiday Inn Express in Grimsby and Middlesbrough.
The 80-bedroom, new-build Holiday Inn Express Grimsby will operate under a franchise agreement with Brayford Hotels. Located in the town centre near the main railway station, it is due to open at the end of 2015.
Located on the main square of Middlesbrough town centre, the hotel will be close to the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art and Cleveland Centre shopping mall.
IHG has also announced a 198-bedroom Holiday Express in Dublin city centre, to be operated on a franchise basis with existing IHG owner Findlater House.
Philip Lassman, director of development UK and Ireland, IHG said: "Holiday Inn Express is one of the fastest growing brands in the industry and the brand is certainly doing really well in Europe. The brand offers friendly efficient service, comfortable rooms and a free breakfast - everything a guest needs and nothing they don't.
Richard Farrar, director of Leaf Hospitality, the company managing Holiday Inn Express Grimsby on behalf of Brayford Hotels, commented: "Brayford Hotels is delighted to be adding Holiday Inn Express Grimsby to their portfolio. We were all determined to build a quality branded hotel the moment the site was acquired and we'll do just that over the coming twelve months."
Mark Ashall, director of Ashall Projects, the property development company undertaking the Middlesbrough project, said: "We are delighted to have secured the opportunity to refurbish this building and contribute to the regeneration of the centre of Middlesbrough by welcoming Holiday Inn Express to the town."
Launched in 1991, Holiday Inn Express is one of the world 's largest and fastest growing hotel brands in the hotel industry, opening properties at an average rate of two per week. Currently there are over 2,260 Holiday Inn Express hotels globally, accounting for nearly half of the 4,704-strong IHG portfolio.
There are 219 Holiday Inn Express hotels in Europe and a further 38 in the pipeline.
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