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{{Infobox company
| name = Britannia Hotels Limited
| logo = [[File:Britannia Hotels logo.png|100px]]
| caption =
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
Line 16:
| location_country =
| location = [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]], [[Greater Manchester]], England
| locations = 64{{efn|name=footnote 1}}
| area_served =
| key_people = {{ubl|Alex Langsam, [[CEO]]<br />|Robert Ferrari, [[Chief financial officer|CFO]]}}
| industry = [[Hotels]] & [[Hospitality]]
| products = {{ubl|Hotels and property|Property development}}
| services = Conference room hire, banqueting functions, health club membership
| revenue = {{decreaseincrease}} £38154.311m790m (20212023)<ref>Britannia Hotels Ltd, ''Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 20212023 ''</ref>
| operating_income = {{decreaseincrease}} £65.192m2m (20212023)
| net_income = {{decreaseincrease}} -£931.010m692m (20212023)
| assets =
| equity =
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}}
 
'''Britannia Hotels''' is a British budget hotel group with 64 hotels in [[Great Britain]].<ref name="brit-20221222Brit Hotels"/>{{Cite Theweb company|title=Our alsoHotels owns|url=https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels the|url-status=live [[Pontins]] Holiday Parks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229055633/https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels Since|archive-date=29 2010February Britannia2024 Hotels|access-date=29 hasFebruary been2024 a|website=[[Britannia subjectHotels]]}}</ref>{{efn|name=footnote of1|The [[#Controversies|widespreadRoyal Albion criticismHotel]] overwas thedamaged hygieneby anda maintenancefire ofin itsJuly locations;2023, consumerso grouponly [[Which?]]63 repeatedly foundof the chain64 tohotels beare theoperational worstas inof theFebruary United2024}} KingdomThe sincecompany Octoberalso 2013.<refowns name="rating-2019"/><refthe [[Pontins]] Holiday Parks. name="rating-2013"/>
 
Since 2010 Britannia Hotels has been a subject of criticism over the hygiene and maintenance of its locations; consumer group [[Which?]] repeatedly found the chain to be the worst in the United Kingdom since October 2013.<ref name="rating-2019"/><ref name="rating-2013"/> The criticism has contributed towards the growing general perception of Britannia Hotels as "Britain's worst hotel chain".<ref name="telegraph-20200106">{{Cite news|last=Gill |first=Oliver |date=6 January 2020 |title=Sales at 'Britain's worst hotel chain' surge past £100m |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/01/06/sales-britains-worst-hotel-chainsurge-past-100m/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221151638/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/01/06/sales-britains-worst-hotel-chainsurge-past-100m/ |archive-date=21 February 2020 |url-status=live|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>
 
==OverviewHistory==
[[File:Britannia Adelphi 2011.jpg|thumb|The [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel]], Liverpool]]
[[File:Watts Warehouse Manchester.jpg|thumb|The Britannia Manchester Hotel, formerly [[Watts Warehouse]], Manchester]]
===Foundation and early years===
Britannia Hotels was founded in 1976 with the purchase of the Britannia Country House Hotel in [[Didsbury]], [[Manchester]]. Its chief executive, founder, and largest shareholder remains Alex Langsam. Langsam is a [[non-domiciled]] UK resident, registered as living in Austria for tax purposes since 1999.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 October 2012 |title=Hotel boss Alex Langsam loses appeal over 'non-dom' payout |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/hotel-boss-alex-langsam-loses-800185}}</ref> His net personal worth was valued at £90 million in 2013 by ''[[The Sunday Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/|title=The Caterer - Latest News on the Hospitality Industry|website=The Caterer}}</ref>
 
The company's head office is [[Halecroft]], a Grade II* [[listed building]] in [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britanniahotels.com/contact-us |title=Contact Us |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=britanniahotels.com |publisher=Britannia Hotels |access-date=9 February 2024}}</ref> A large cluster of the company's hotels are located in and around Manchester.
 
Soon after its foundation, Britannia began making a number of further acquisitions.[[File:Watts Warehouse Manchester.jpg|thumb|left|The Britannia Manchester Hotel, formerly [[Watts Warehouse]], Manchester]] The second purchase in 1981 was a derelict listed building in central Manchester (the former [[Watts Warehouse]] standing on [[Portland Street, Manchester|Portland Street]]). After redeveloping the unit it opened in May 1982 as the Britannia Hotel Manchester. At the end of 1982, [[British Rail]] sold off its hotel division, [[British Transport Hotels]]. From this sale, in 1983 Britannia bought the [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel]] in [[Liverpool]]. [[File:Britannia Adelphi 2011.jpg{{cn|200px|thumb|right|Thedate=May [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel]], Liverpool]]2024}}
 
In the mid-1980s, Alex Langsam acquired the [[Listed building|Grade II* listed]] [[London Road Fire Station (Manchester)|London Road Fire Station]] in Manchester for the group. Proposals to redevelop it into a hotel and offices were delayed and in 2006 it was placed on English Heritage's register of "at risk" historical buildings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2006 |title=All-action station |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/204/204130_allaction_station.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804192637/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/204/204130_allaction_station.html |archive-date=4 August 2012}}</ref> The city council's attempt to compulsorily purchase the building was rejected on 29 November 2011.<ref>[http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/EXCLUSIVE-Alex-Langsam-breaks-silence_12154.asp Alex Langsam Breaks Silence] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20120907090126/http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/EXCLUSIVE-Alex-Langsam-breaks-silence_12154.asp |date=7 September 2012}} Manchester Confidential 9 September 2010</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 November 2011 |title=Manchester council loses £700,000 bid to force sale of London Road Fire Station |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1466341_manchester-council-loses-700000-bid-to-force-sale-of-london-road-fire-station |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201180817/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1466341_manchester-council-loses-700000-bid-to-force-sale-of-london-road-fire-station |archive-date=1 December 2011}}</ref> In 2015 Britannia sold the building to [[Allied London]] which began redevelopment as a mixed-use leisure and hotel facility.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2018 |title=Allied London starts work on London Road Fire Station |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/allied-london-starts-work-on-london-road-fire-station/ |access-date=8 November 2018 |website=Place North West}}</ref>▼
In 1987 Britannia Hotels converted an unused building in Manchester that had been the city's [[C&A]] department store - this became the [[Sachas Hotel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sachas - Former C&A Clothing Store |url=http://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour4/area4page69.html |website=manchesterhistory.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Leary |first=Abigail |date=8 August 2016 |title=Manchester's lost shops: Readers share their memories of Lewis's and more |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/manchesters-lost-shops-readers-share-8676904}}</ref> Later in the same year Bosworth Hall, a country house style hotel in [[Market Bosworth]], Leicestershire, was purchased. Bosworth Hall was being converted from a hospital/nursing home into a hotel and Britannia took over the development from the builders who went bankrupt. In 1988 the company purchased and began development of the International Hotel adjacent to [[Canary Wharf]] in London's Docklands. The hotel opened on 9 June 1992. A year later, Britannia took over a 187-bedroom hotel in [[Stockport]]. After a period of refurbishment, the Britannia Stockport Hotel opened in 1993. In the summer of the same year, the group also purchased the Europa Hotel situated close to [[Gatwick Airport]].▼
 
The 1988 [[Philip Saville]] film ''[[The Fruit Machine (1988 film)|The Fruit Machine]]'' featured interior and main entrance scenes of the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, including a vertical pan shot past the lit marquee at night.{{cn|date=May 2024}}▼
 
▲In 1987 Britannia Hotels converted an unused building in Manchester that had been the city's [[C&A]] department store - this became the [[Sachas Hotel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sachas - Former C&A Clothing Store |url=http://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour4/area4page69.html |website=manchesterhistory.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Leary |first=Abigail |date=8 August 2016 |title=Manchester's lost shops: Readers share their memories of Lewis's and more |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/manchesters-lost-shops-readers-share-8676904}}</ref> Later in the same year Bosworth Hall, a country house style hotel in [[Market Bosworth]], Leicestershire, was purchased. Bosworth Hall was being converted from a hospital/nursing home into a hotel and Britannia took over the development from the builders who went bankrupt. In 1988 the company purchased and began development of the International Hotel adjacent to [[Canary Wharf]] in London's Docklands. The hotel opened on 9 June 1992. A year later, Britannia took over a 187-bedroom hotel in [[Stockport]]. After a period of refurbishment, the Britannia Stockport Hotel opened in 1993. In the summer of the same year, the group also purchased the Europa Hotel situated close to [[Gatwick Airport]].{{cn|date=May 2024}}
 
===Development since 2000===
In the following 10 years, the group acquired 16 more hotels in locations such as [[Birmingham]], [[Aberdeen]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]. In November 2004, it acquired four hotels from the Grand Leisure Group: the Grand Hotel in [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]], the Grand Hotel in [[Llandudno]], the Grand Burstin Hotel in [[Folkestone]] and the Grand Metropole in [[Blackpool]]. In January 2011, the company bought North West holiday camp business [[Pontins]] out of administration in an £18.5&nbsp;million deal which safeguarded about 1,000 jobs. Following the acquisition, Britannia had to deal with a series of complaints.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anne Robinson Goes Head to Head With Woman From Pontins Following A Watchdog Report |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivOxiS7dB9A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ivOxiS7dB9A |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=24 July 2012 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Complaints made over Pontin's site at Pakefield - News |url=http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/complaints_made_over_pontin_s_site_at_pakefield_1_1169546 |access-date=24 July 2012 |publisher=Lowestoft Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddle |first=John |date=11 April 2015 |title=Pontins: Mass brawl at Southport holiday camp latest in long list of complaints |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/pontins-mass-brawl-southport-holiday-9026245}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/pakefield_holiday_firm_pontins_rapped_over_misleading_accommodation_advertising_1_2357036|title=Pakefield: Holiday firm Pontins rapped over 'misleading' accommodation advertising}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Gary |date=2 September 2014 |title=Pontins Prestayn chalet was 'dirty beyond belief' claims holidaymaker |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/pontins-prestayn-chalet-dirty-beyond-7707529}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Family's Pontins misery on 'holiday from hell' &#124; Gloucestershire Echo |url=http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Family-s-Pontins-misery-holiday-hell/story-20083837-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722064542/http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Family-s-Pontins-misery-holiday-hell/story-20083837-detail/story.html |archive-date=22 July 2015 |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/pontins-sentencing-remarks-04042012/|title=Pontins Limited|website=judiciary.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2014 |title=Pontins Holiday Park breach Health & Safety with disastrous consequences |url=http://www.qcompliance.co.uk/pontins-holiday-park-breach-health-safety-disastrous-consequences/ |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722010008/http://www.qcompliance.co.uk/pontins-holiday-park-breach-health-safety-disastrous-consequences/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
From 2005 to 2015, the group had its most rapid period of expansion, acquiring 23 hotels, including the [[Palace Hotel, Buxton|Palace Hotel]] in [[Buxton]] and the [[Basingstoke]] Country Hotel acquired from [[the Hotel Collection]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/new-owners-for-landmark-buxton-hotel-1-7308704|title=New owners for landmark Buxton hotel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.christie.com/en/news/2015/06/15/britannia_hotels_continues_expansion_with_two_hotel_acquisitions_18465|title=Press Releases &#124; Christie & Co}}</ref> and the Trecarn Hotel [[Torquay]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tore |first=Iuliia |title=Britannia Hotels expands its portfolio - Rus Tourism News |url=http://www.rustourismnews.com/?p=45567 |website=rustourismnews.com}}</ref> and Cavendish Hotel in [[Eastbourne]]. In 2016, Britannia Hotels also purchased The Bromsgrove Hotel & Spa which had been owned and operated by [[Hilton Worldwide|Hilton]]. Later in 2017, Britannia Hotels acquired the Royal Hotel in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] from the Mercure Hotel Group, expanding to 53 hotels.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 March 2017 |title=Mercure Hull Royal Hotel to be taken over by Britannia Hotels |work=Hull Daily Mail |url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/mercure-hull-royal-hotel-to-be-taken-over-by-britannia-hotels/story-30190268-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=18 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309082608/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/mercure-hull-royal-hotel-to-be-taken-over-by-britannia-hotels/story-30190268-detail/story.html |archive-date=9 March 2017}}</ref>
 
In 2008 as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations, a musical based on the Adelphi Hotel, written and directed by Phil Willmott, ''[[Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi]]'', ran at the [[Liverpool Playhouse]] from 30 June until 2 August.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adelphi Hotel Play |url=http://www.britanniahotels.com/iCMS/images_site/source%20files/ADELPHI2.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208050615/http://www.britanniahotels.com/iCMS/images_site/source%20files/ADELPHI2.jpg |archive-date=8 February 2012 |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref>▼
Britannia Hotels purchased nine hotels, reaching a total of 61, between 2017 and 2021, when it acquired The Grand Hotel Gosforth Park (formerly [[Marriott International|Marriott]]) in Newcastle, The Grand Hotel Sunderland (formerly Marriott), The Grand Hotel Blackpool (formerly Hilton), The Meon Valley Hotel & Country Club near Southampton, The Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club near Norwich, The Hollins Hall Hotel & Country Club in [[Baildon]], Bradford, The Coylumbridge Hotel (formerly Hilton) in Aviemore and The Royal Clifton Hotel in Southport.▼
 
▲Britannia Hotels purchased nine hotels, reaching a total of 61, between 2017 and 2021, when it acquired The Grand Hotel Gosforth Park (formerly [[Marriott International|Marriott]]) in Newcastle, The Grand Hotel Sunderland (formerly Marriott), The Grand Hotel Blackpool (formerly Hilton), The Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club near Southampton, The Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club near Norwich, The Hollins Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club in [[Baildon]], Bradford, The Coylumbridge Hotel (formerly Hilton) in Aviemore and The Royal Clifton Hotel in Southport.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
 
On 15 July 2023, a fire broke out in one of the rooms in the Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton reducing most of the Grade II building to a shell.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2023 |title=City emergency as Royal Albion hotel on fire |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23658165.brightons-royal-albion-hotel-fire/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=The Argus |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2023 |title=City mourns the loss of historic Royal Albion hotel after tragic fire |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23658901.brighton-mourns-loss-historic-royal-albion-hotel-fire/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=The Argus |language=en}}</ref> It was made worse by the high winds over the weekend which made fighting the fire challenging. This left the façade unstable, requiring most of the exterior to be demolished.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2023 |title=Demolition crews arrive at Royal Albion hotel|first=Zac|last=Sherratt |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23659772.demolition-crews-brightons-royal-albion-hotel/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=The Argus |language=en}}</ref>▼
 
== List of properties ==
{{See also|Pontins|l1=Pontins Holiday Parks, owned by Britannia}}
{{As of|February 2024}}, Britannia Hotels operate 64 hotels, all in Great Britain:<ref name="brit-20221222Brit Hotels" />{{cite webefn|titlename=Searchfootnote our hotels|url=https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels|url-status=live|publisher=Britannia Hotels|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222165125/https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels|archive-date=22 December 2022}}</ref>
 
===Branded hotels===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Common brand names
! Brand
! class="unsortable" | Locations
! Total
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| {{nowrap|Britannia Hotels}}
| {{cslist
| [[Aberdeen]]
Line 77 ⟶ 88:
| [[Edinburgh]]
| [[Elmbank Gardens|Glasgow]]
| [[LondonHampstead]] ([[HampsteadLondon]])▼
| [[Leeds]]
| [[Leeds Bradford Airport]]
| The Manchester| location[[Watts isWarehouse|Manchester]] ([[Grade II* listed building|Grade II* listed]].)▼
▲ | [[London]] ([[Hampstead]])
| [[WattsManchester WarehouseAirport|Airport Hotel Manchester]]
| [[Manchester Airport]]
| Manchester Country House
| [[Newcastle International Airport|Newcastle Airport]]
Line 90 ⟶ 101:
}}
| 19
▲| The Manchester location is [[Grade II* listed building|Grade II* listed]].
|-
| Airport Inn
| {{cslist
| [[Gatwick Airport]]
| [[Manchester Airport|Manchester Hotel & Spa]]
}}
| 2
|
|-
| Grand Hotel
Line 105 ⟶ 114:
| [[Grand Hotel (Llandudno)|Llandudno]]
| [[Gosforth Park]]
| [[Grand Hotel (Scarborough)|Scarborough]] ([[Grade II* listed building|Grade II* listed]])
| [[Sunderland]]
}}
| 5
| The Scarborough location is Grade II* listed.
|-class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" style="text-align:right;" | Total properties
|! 26
!
|}
 
===Individually named hotels===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Named hotels
! Location
! class="unsortable" | Properties
Line 134 ⟶ 141:
|-
| [[Birmingham]]
| Bromsgrove Hotel & Spa
| 1
|
Line 151 ⟶ 158:
| [[Royal Albion Hotel]]
| 1
| Grade II* listed. Damaged by fire in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 2023 |title=Brighton hotel blaze: Fire-hit seaside hotel faces partial demolition |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-66214919 |access-date=2023-07-18 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[Buxton]]
Line 159 ⟶ 166:
|-
| [[City of Bradford|Bradford]]
| {{cslist|[[Midland Hotel, Bradford|Midland Hotel]], |Hollins Hall Hotel - Golf & Country Club}}
| 2
| Corner block of the Midland Hotel is Grade II listed.
|-
| [[Coventry]]
Line 186 ⟶ 193:
| Royal Hotel
| 1
|
|
|-
Line 200 ⟶ 206:
|-
| [[Manchester]]
| {{cslist|Ashley Hotel|Britannia Country House Hotel|[[Sachas Hotel]]}}
| 32
|
|-
| [[Market Bosworth]]
| [[Bosworth Hall Hotel|Bosworth Hall Hotel & Spa]]
| 1
| Grade II* listed.
Line 235 ⟶ 241:
|-
| [[Southampton]]
| Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club
| 1
|
Line 255 ⟶ 261:
|-class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" style="text-align:right;" | Total properties
|! 38
!
|}
 
== Reviews and prosecutions==
==Events==
===Reviews===
▲The 1988 [[Philip Saville]] film ''[[The Fruit Machine (1988 film)|The Fruit Machine]]'' featured interior and main entrance scenes of the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, including a vertical pan shot past the lit marquee at night.
 
▲In 2008 as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations, a musical based on the Adelphi Hotel, written and directed by Phil Willmott, ''[[Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi]]'', ran at the [[Liverpool Playhouse]] from 30 June until 2 August.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adelphi Hotel Play |url=http://www.britanniahotels.com/iCMS/images_site/source%20files/ADELPHI2.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208050615/http://www.britanniahotels.com/iCMS/images_site/source%20files/ADELPHI2.jpg |archive-date=8 February 2012 |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref>
 
▲On 15 July 2023, a fire broke out in one of the rooms in the Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton reducing most of the Grade II building to a shell.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2023 |title=City emergency as Royal Albion hotel on fire |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23658165.brightons-royal-albion-hotel-fire/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=The Argus |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2023 |title=City mourns the loss of historic Royal Albion hotel after tragic fire |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23658901.brighton-mourns-loss-historic-royal-albion-hotel-fire/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=The Argus |language=en}}</ref> It was made worse by the high winds over the weekend which made fighting the fire challenging. This left the façade unstable, requiring most of the exterior to be demolished.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2023 |title=Demolition crews arrive at Royal Albion hotel|first=Zac|last=Sherratt |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23659772.demolition-crews-brightons-royal-albion-hotel/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=The Argus |language=en}}</ref>
 
== Controversies ==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:0.5em 0 0.5em 1em;float:right"
|+Which? customer scores (hotel chains)
Line 321:
| 86%
| Sofitel
| <ref name="rating-2020">{{cite news|last1=Brignall|first1=Miles|title=Britannia named worst UK hotel chain for eighth year in a row|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/05/britannia-named-worst-uk-hotel-chain-for-eighth-year-in-a-row-which|access-date=22 December 2022|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|date=5 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222110851/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/05/britannia-named-worst-uk-hotel-chain-for-eighth-year-in-a-row-which|archive-date=22 December 2022|location=Manchester|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="which-2020">{{cite web|last1=Bell|first1=Lauren|title=Best and worst UK hotel chains|url=https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/best-and-worst-uk-hotel-chains-aaVVF4u1jZpe|website=Which?|publisher=Consumers' Association|access-date=22 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204105814/https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/best-and-worst-uk-hotel-chains-aaVVF4u1jZpe|archive-date=4 February 2022|location=London|language=en-gb|date=20 November 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2021
Line 333:
| 78%
| Premier Inn
| <ref name="rating-2022">{{cite news|last1=Parveen|first1=Nazia|title=Britannia named worst UK hotel chain for tenth year in a row|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/nov/09/britannia-named-worst-uk-hotel-chain-for-tenth-year-in-a-row|access-date=22 December 2022|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222110636/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/nov/09/britannia-named-worst-uk-hotel-chain-for-tenth-year-in-a-row|archive-date=22 December 2022|location=Manchester|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="which-2022">{{cite web|last1=Bell|first1=Lauren|title=The UK's best and worst hotel chains|url=https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/best-and-worst-uk-hotel-chains-aaVVF4u1jZpe|website=Which?|publisher=Consumers' Association|access-date=22 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109092140/https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/best-and-worst-uk-hotel-chains-aaVVF4u1jZpe|archive-date=9 November 2022|location=London|language=en-gb|date=9 November 2022}}</ref>
|-
| 2023
Line 344:
Britannia Hotels has been subject to widespread criticism on many issues, most notably in hygiene and maintenance. In October 2023, consumer group [[Which?]] declared Britannia Hotels to be the worst hotel chain in the United Kingdom for the 11th consecutive year, in last place with an overall score of 48%.<ref name="which-2023"/> Britannia Hotels had been last place in the Which? hotel chain rankings since October 2013, when the editor Richard Headland warned that other chains (such as [[Premier Inn]]) were undercutting Britannia with better service at similar prices.<ref name="rating-2013" />
 
=== Hygiene and maintenance issues ===
In 2005 and 2006, the Grand Hotel in Scarborough and the [[Britannia Adelphi Hotel|Britannia Adelphi]] were investigated by the BBC over theft and hygiene.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 July 2006 |title=Hotel rejects 'theft hotspot' tag |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5217272.stm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Inside Out - Hotel not-so-Grand |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/series7/dirty_hotel.shtml |website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In November 2014, an undercover investigation by the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'' found issues with the upkeep of both the exterior and interior of the Adelphi, warning that the ageing interiors and basic service placed Britannia Hotels at a disadvantage in the fast-evolving "cut-throat" tourism industry.<ref name="lvecho-20141105">{{Cite web |last=Rouse |first=Alisha |date=5 November 2014 |title=Adelphi Hotel owners Britannia Group branded worst in country by Which? magazine |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/adelphi-hotel-owners-britannia-group-8044860 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218134748/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/adelphi-hotel-owners-britannia-group-8044860 |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=Liverpool Echo |publisher=Reach plc |location=Liverpool}}</ref> In 2019, Which? journalists found the Britannia Lodge near [[Gatwick airport]] to be in a worse condition, reporting smells of damp because of a clogged ventilation fan, a bathroom affected by [[Mold (fungus)|mould]], and stains revealed under [[ultraviolet light]].<ref name="rating-2019"/> In the following year, Which? reported that the situation had not improved, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the renewed interest in luxury hotels for [[staycation]]s.<ref name="rating-2022"/>
 
Hotel research and booking site Oyster.com has reviewed a number of Britannia Hotels. The website commended most of the reviewed locations for their proximity to city centres or public transport hubs<ref name="oyster-london">{{Cite web |date=4 June 2019 |title=Oyster Hotel Review: Britannia International Hotel |url=https://www.oyster.com/london/hotels/britannia-international-hotel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221143803/https://www.oyster.com/london/hotels/britannia-international-hotel/ |archive-date=21 February 2020 |access-date=21 February 2020 |website=Oyster.com |publisher=TripAdvisor |location=Needham}}</ref> and efforts to renovate some rooms in the Manchester location,<ref name="oyster-manchester">{{Cite web |date=4 June 2019 |title=Oyster Hotel Review: Britannia Manchester Hotel |url=https://www.oyster.com/manchester/hotels/britannia-manchester-hotel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221143800/https://www.oyster.com/manchester/hotels/britannia-manchester-hotel/ |archive-date=21 February 2020 |access-date=21 February 2020 |website=Oyster.com |publisher=TripAdvisor |location=Needham}}</ref> but raised concerns about outdated interiors, inconsistent maintenance, and [[Wi-Fi]] access fees,<ref name="oyster-edinburgh">{{Cite web |date=4 June 2019 |title=Oyster Hotel Review: Britannia Edinburgh Hotel |url=https://www.oyster.com/edinburgh/hotels/britannia-edinburgh-hotel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221143758/https://www.oyster.com/edinburgh/hotels/britannia-edinburgh-hotel/ |archive-date=21 February 2020 |access-date=21 February 2020 |website=Oyster.com |publisher=TripAdvisor |location=Needham}}</ref> the latter generally considered inappropriate in a country where internet access is a [[Internet in the United Kingdom|major part]] of daily life.
 
=== PlanningOfficial issuesand charity use ===
Amid increasing pressure on Britannia Hotels over poor cleanliness, theThe [[Home Office]] temporarily rented rooms in three Britannia locations (two in [[Bournemouth]], one in [[Folkestone]]) to house asylum seekers because of overcrowding at the detention centres.<ref name="ind-20141026">{{Cite web |last=Knowles |first=Kitty |date=26 October 2014 |title=Is this really the worst hotel chain in Britain? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/britannia-hotels-is-the-worst-chain-in-uk-satisfaction-survey-finds-9818630.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218134840/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/britannia-hotels-is-the-worst-chain-in-uk-satisfaction-survey-finds-9818630.html |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=The Independent |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media |location=London}}</ref> The Home Office also rented rooms for new refugees who were waiting for long-term housing.<ref name="telegraph-20200106" />▼
▲In the mid-1980s, Alex Langsam acquired the [[Listed building|Grade II* listed]] [[London Road Fire Station (Manchester)|London Road Fire Station]] in Manchester for the group. Proposals to redevelop it into a hotel and offices were delayed and in 2006 it was placed on English Heritage's register of "at risk" historical buildings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2006 |title=All-action station |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/204/204130_allaction_station.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804192637/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/204/204130_allaction_station.html |archive-date=4 August 2012}}</ref> The city council's attempt to compulsorily purchase the building was rejected on 29 November 2011.<ref>[http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/EXCLUSIVE-Alex-Langsam-breaks-silence_12154.asp Alex Langsam Breaks Silence] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20120907090126/http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/EXCLUSIVE-Alex-Langsam-breaks-silence_12154.asp |date=7 September 2012}} Manchester Confidential 9 September 2010</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 November 2011 |title=Manchester council loses £700,000 bid to force sale of London Road Fire Station |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1466341_manchester-council-loses-700000-bid-to-force-sale-of-london-road-fire-station |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201180817/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1466341_manchester-council-loses-700000-bid-to-force-sale-of-london-road-fire-station |archive-date=1 December 2011}}</ref> In 2015 Britannia sold the building to [[Allied London]] which began redevelopment as a mixed-use leisure and hotel facility.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2018 |title=Allied London starts work on London Road Fire Station |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/allied-london-starts-work-on-london-road-fire-station/ |access-date=8 November 2018 |website=Place North West}}</ref>
 
=== Social issues ===
▲Amid increasing pressure on Britannia Hotels over poor cleanliness, the [[Home Office]] temporarily rented rooms in three Britannia locations (two in [[Bournemouth]], one in [[Folkestone]]) to house asylum seekers because of overcrowding at the detention centres.<ref name="ind-20141026">{{Cite web |last=Knowles |first=Kitty |date=26 October 2014 |title=Is this really the worst hotel chain in Britain? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/britannia-hotels-is-the-worst-chain-in-uk-satisfaction-survey-finds-9818630.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218134840/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/britannia-hotels-is-the-worst-chain-in-uk-satisfaction-survey-finds-9818630.html |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=The Independent |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media |location=London}}</ref> The Home Office also rented rooms for new refugees who were waiting for long-term housing.<ref name="telegraph-20200106" />
 
In December 2018, the Britannia Royal at [[Kingston upon Hull]] cancelled a charity reservation for rough sleepers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day without giving a reason. The incident led to a significant escalation of general criticism against Britannia Hotels, which then temporarily removed its presence from social media.<ref name="gmg-20181217">{{Cite web |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=17 December 2018 |title=Donations flood in after hotel cancels booking for homeless people |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/dec/17/hull-hotel-cancels-christmas-booking-for-homeless-people |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218150927/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/dec/17/hull-hotel-cancels-christmas-booking-for-homeless-people |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>
 
=== Evictions and sackings in responseResponse to COVID-19 ===
In March 2020, Britannia Hotels attracted widespread condemnation for its response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]]: on 19 March, the [[Coylumbridge]] Aviemore Hotel sacked and evicted approximately 30 staff who lived in the hotel without notice or redundancy pay, leaving several homeless.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18319815.aviemore-hotel-sacks-evicts-staff-immediately-virus-crisis/|title=Aviemore hotel slammed after sacking and evicting staff in coronavirus crisis|website=The National}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/politicians-condemn-scots-hotel-after-21723003|title=Politicians slam Scots hotel after staff fired and kicked out amid coronavirus|first=Nicholas|last=Keyden|date=19 March 2020|website=Daily Record}}</ref> Britannia Hotels later reversed the decision under widespread political and public pressure, but claimed that the sackings were due to an "administrative error".<ref name="bbc-20200321">{{Cite news |date=21 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Hotel made staff homeless in 'admin error' |publisher=BBC |agency=BBC News |location=London |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-51972372 |access-date=4 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404123204/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-51972372 |archive-date=4 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="hnm-20200326">{{Cite web |last=Musgrove |first=Gavin |date=26 March 2020 |title='We're delighted to be back at the Coylumbridge Hotel' |url=https://www.strathspey-herald.co.uk/news/were-delighted-to-be-back-at-the-coylumbridge-hotel-194832/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404125011/https://www.strathspey-herald.co.uk/news/were-delighted-to-be-back-at-the-coylumbridge-hotel-194832/ |archive-date=4 April 2020 |access-date=4 April 2020 |website=Strathspey & Badenoch Herald |publisher=Highland News and Media |location=Grantown-on-Spey}}</ref> Staff were also dismissed and evicted at the Britannia-owned Pontins holiday parks.<ref name="dailypost-20200324">{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Owen |date=24 March 2020 |title=Britannia Hotels re-hires Pontins workers and Government will pay their wages |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/britannia-hotels-re-hires-pontins-17969181 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404132428/https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/britannia-hotels-re-hires-pontins-17969181 |archive-date=4 April 2020 |access-date=4 April 2020 |website=North Wales Live |publisher=Reach plc |location=Colwyn Bay}}</ref>
 
On 24 March, [[Manchester City Council]] reported that Britannia Hotels evicted homeless people from Britannia's two city centre hotels (Britannia Manchester and Sachas Hotel), despite an agreement between Britannia and Manchester council to accommodate them.<ref name="men-20200325">{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Niall |date=25 March 2020 |title=Hotel slammed 'for evicting homeless people that were supposed to stay' there amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/hotel-slammed-for-evicting-homeless-17980941 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404130927/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/hotel-slammed-for-evicting-homeless-17980941 |archive-date=4 April 2020 |access-date=29 March 2020 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc}}</ref>
 
=== LegalFood issueshygiene ===
In September 2007, [[Manchester Crown Court]] fined Britannia Hotels £39,486 for food hygiene offences at the Britannia Hotel in [[Stockport]], shortly after [[TripAdvisor]] rated it as one of Britain's dirtiest hotels.<ref name="men-20070913">{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Paul R. |date=13 September 2007 |title='Dirtiest hotel' fined £36,000 |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/dirtiest-hotel-fined-36000-1003991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218155139/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/dirtiest-hotel-fined-36000-1003991 |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=Reach plc |location=Manchester}}</ref> In December 2014, magistrates at the [[Nuneaton Justice Centre]] fined Britannia Hotels £25,400 for food hygiene offences at the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry.<ref name="bbc-20141218">{{Cite news |date=18 December 2014 |title=Coventry's Royal Court Hotel in food hygiene fine |publisher=BBC |agency=BBC News |location=London |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30533792 |access-date=18 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218155913/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30533792 |archive-date=18 February 2020}}</ref> In June 2017, the Adelphi was prosecuted for breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An embarrassment to the city' |url=https://confidentials.com/liverpool/Adelphi-is-an-embarrassment-to-the-city |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005948/https://confidentials.com/liverpool/Adelphi-is-an-embarrassment-to-the-city |archive-date=27 June 2018 |access-date=18 August 2018 |website=Confidentials}}</ref>
 
===Health and safety===
Britannia Hotels was prosecuted for breaking health and safety laws after a student drowned in the Adelphi's swimming pool in 2006.<ref>{{cite web | title=Case Summary: Madhav Cherukuri|first=Daniel|last=Jacklin| publisher=Water Incident Research Hub| date=25 March 2020 | url=https://www.thewirh.com/blog/madhav-cherukuri}}</ref> In November 2015, the ''Liverpool Echo'' investigated a guest's complaints about the Adelphi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuelson |first=Kate |date=22 November 2015 |title=Liverpool Adelphi Hotel guest 'disgusted' by £150 a night room |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-adelphi-hotel-guest-disgusted-10482956#rlabs=1+rt$category+p$1}}</ref> In June 2017, the Adelphi was prosecuted for breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An embarrassment to the city' |url=https://confidentials.com/liverpool/Adelphi-is-an-embarrassment-to-the-city |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005948/https://confidentials.com/liverpool/Adelphi-is-an-embarrassment-to-the-city |archive-date=27 June 2018 |access-date=18 August 2018 |website=Confidentials}}</ref> Further issues with the Adelphi have been reported since.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McMullin |first=Kate |date=2 November 2017 |title=Bloodied syringe and dried up vomit - couple lift the lid on Adelphi horror stay |work=Liverpool Echo |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/bloodied-syringe-dried-up-vomit-13845118}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bona |first=Emilia |date=30 December 2017 |title=100 Scottish line dancers disgusted at 'nightmare' Adelphi stay |work=Liverpool Echo |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/100-scottish-line-dancers-disgusted-14092819}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Parry |first=Josh |date=14 March 2018 |title=Adelphi Hotel gym to shut - as members share pictures of 'filthy' changing areas |work=Liverpool Echo |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/adelphi-hotel-gym-shut-shocked-14407928}}</ref> The Liverpool Echo visited the company's headquarters in June 2019 to interview a spokesperson about the complaints, but no-one would speak to the journalists.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bona |first=Emilia |date=30 June 2019 |title=Bosses at The Adelphi and Pontins never respond to our questions so we turned up at their offices to demand answers |work=Liverpool Echo |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/bosses-adelphi-pontins-never-respond-16489800 |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref>
 
In 2013 in [[Canterbury Crown Court]], the chain was ordered to pay £200,000 in fines and costs for putting guests and construction workers at risk of exposure to asbestos at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2013 |title=Britannia Hotels slammed over asbestos case - TheBusinessDesk.com |url=http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/450963-britannia-hotels-slammed-over-asbestos-case.html}}</ref>
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On 10 September 2022, a 21-year-old woman was crushed to death by a wardrobe whilst staying at the Britannia Adelphi hotel.<ref name="itv-20221005">{{cite news|title='Kind and caring' daughter, 21, crushed to death by wardrobe in Liverpool Adelphi Hotel|url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2022-10-05/woman-crushed-to-death-by-falling-wardrobe-in-hotel|access-date=25 November 2022|agency=ITV News Granada|publisher=ITV|date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005113716/https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2022-10-05/woman-crushed-to-death-by-falling-wardrobe-in-hotel|archive-date=5 October 2022|location=Manchester}}</ref>
 
==See also==
* {{portal-inline|Hotels}}
 
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
 
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
 
==External links==
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*{{official website|https://www.britanniahotels.com}}
 
{{portalbar|Hotels|United Kingdom}}
{{UK Hotels}}
 
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