NORTHAMPTON’S PARK INN hotel is to rebrand and upgrade to four stars as part of a million-pound investment programme that will also see it become a Mercure hotel from next year.
Parent company Accor announced the deal and said the revamped hotel will be a joint venture between real estate fund manager Frogmore and C1 Capital Partners. The 146-room Mercure Northampton will operate under a franchise agreement and the extensive renovation will see a real focus on the ‘market town’ history of Northampton, celebrating both the history and future of the Market Square.
The hotel had run under the Radisson banner but has been renamed Northampton Town Centre Hotel until it officially becomes a Mercure in the spring.
General manager Simon Smith said: “This is the start of an exciting journey as we become the town centre’s first four-star hotel. It is a signal of intent and a pledge of faith in Northampton, where we want to establish ourselves as a real asset to the community.”
The hotel will include 12 meeting rooms with total capacity of 600 and a business centre.
Mr Smith added: “The hotel will be themed around the concept of a Market Square, with concessions for small local independents. We already have Yellow Bourbon supplying our coffee area and we hope to develop partnerships with many other local businesses in the months to come to emphasis our commitment to the local area.”
Mark Mullen pictured left, operations manager of Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District, said: “It’s always pleasing to see a business commit its long-term future to Northampton and this investment is a real show of confidence in what lies ahead for the town centre.”
The Park Inn joins Stifford Hall hotel in Thurrock, Essex in switching to Mercure as part of the deal.
Accor Northern Europe’s vice president development Philip Lassman said: “It is great to see the continued expansion of the Mercure brand across the UK. These signings are the latest announcements within a strong pipeline across Europe, signifying the strength of the internationally recognised Mercure brand and industry-leading services to boost revenues for hotel owners, alongside the ability to retain the individual style and character of a boutique hotel.”
John Matthews, director of asset management at Frogmore, added: “These hotels offer great amenities for both business and leisure travellers. They are ideal properties for the Mercure brand and will benefit greatly from the power of Accor’s distribution and other services.”