IHG adds another three Holiday Inn Express hotels to UK portfolio

The hotels, which will all operate under franchise agreements with the owners, are the Holiday Inn Express London – Vauxhall Nine Elms, the Holiday Inn Express Leigh – Sports Village and the Holiday Inn Express Wigan in Greater Manchester.

Richard Arman, director of development, UK and Ireland, IHG said: “These three latest signings demonstrate that the Holiday Inn Express brand continues to be the smart choice for hotel owners and guests across the UK.

“The three properties are being developed in key locations and once open, will offer business and leisure guests a comfortable nights’ stay and friendly efficient service.”

Vauxhall Nine Elms​

The 132-bedroom Holiday Inn Express London – Vauxhall Nine Elms is an existing hotel which is being re-branded by IHG as part of a large London regeneration project.

The property, which should benefit from the creation of new shops and offices in the area, will be operated under an franchise agreement with Heathdeal Ltd.

 “We’re delighted to be developing our first hotel with IHG. This Holiday Inn Express hotel will become a key landmark of Vauxhall Nine Elms after its regeneration , providing fantastic accommodation along London’s South Bank,” said Hanif Bhimji, owner of Heathdeal.

Leigh – Sports Village​

The 135-room Holiday Inn Express Leigh – Sports Village is due to open this summer in Leigh Sports Village, which is home to the Leigh Centurians Rugby League Football Club and plays host to the Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United youth teams. The venue is also used to host conferences and concerts with a 250 delegate capacity.

The property - the only hotel in the sports complex - will feature six meeting rooms, a bar, a lounge and dining area, an onsite car park with 165 spaces. It will be operated under a franchise agreement with KS Hotels Limited.

“We’re very much looking forward to opening our first Holiday Inn Express, a well-established and extremely popular worldwide brand, following a full refurbishment of the existing Leigh Sports Village Hotel,” said Kim Eivind Krohn, owner of KS Hotels Limited.

Wigan​

The 87-bedroom Holiday Inn Express Wigan is due to open in 2015 under a franchise agreement with Viking Bear Limited.

IGH said the hotel would benefit from its proximity to Wigan’s DW Stadium, with both sports fans and conference delegates looking for overnight accommodation.

 “The hotel will give the town’s leisure and business facilities a boost, particularly for the stadium which hosts the super league rugby champions’ Wigan Warriors and 2013 FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic Football Club,” said Stephen McManamon, owner of Viking Bear Limited.

UK expansion​

IHG has been driving UK expansion this year, with a particular focus on its Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands.

The group signed two Holiday Inn hotels​​ in Manchester and Dumfries in April, with another four hotels in Cardiff, London- West, London Heathrow Terminal 5 and Birmingham North signed to the brand last week​​.

IGH said it wants to make Holiday Inn one of the leading hotel businesses for meeting and events in the UK, and recently spent millions​​ on a redesign of ‘The Academy’ meeting and conference spaces at Holiday Inn properties in Kensington, Bloomsbury and Regent’s Park.