THE owner of one of Bradford’s most iconic hotels will only consider a “knockout deal” after it went up for sale for £3 million.
The Midland Hotel, in Cheapside, in the city centre has appeared on property sale website, Rightmove.
It is listed with a guide price of £3 million and is described as "one of Bradford's most famous buildings".
The Grade II listed building opened in 1890 as an architectural gem of Bradford and was built by the Midland Railway Company, taking around five years to complete.
There have been a number of famous faces checking in and out of the hotel across its history.
Among the guests over the years were Laurel and Hardy, the Beatles, Sean Connery, George Formby, Bram Stoker, JB Priestley, John Le Mesurier, and a series of Prime Ministers, including Winston Churchill and Harold Wilson.
More recently those visiting have included actors Tom Courtney, Brian Cox, Michael Palin, Jean Simmons and Michael Brandon, and pop acts the Human League and Belinda Carlisle.
The Midland was bought by Peel Hotels in 1998 from Bradford businessman and former councillor, John Pennington, who revived the decrepit building when he took over.
Robert Peel, Chairman of Peel Hotels, said: “All the hotels are available for sale at the right price, if anyone puts it in paper.
“If not, you can forget it.”
He added: “Two things, any property owner, hotel owner, if you get the right deal, will sell.
“Having said that, a lot of people are trying to get a deal that is nonsensical from the seller’s point of view, we won’t accept it.”
The group’s six hotels – Bull Hotel in Peterborough, Caledonian Hotel in Newcastle, Crown & Mitre Hotel in Carlisle, George Hotel in Wallingford and Norfolk Royal Hotel in Bournemouth – are all up for sale
The firm has a debt level of 25 per cent of its value and is in “good shape”, according to Mr Peel.
But he wants to clear this before retiring.
Mr Peel said: “Everything is available, if they don’t come near the price, we won’t sell.
“We don’t need to sell.
“At my age, I need to leave on no debt.”
He added: “I’m coming up to 76, we’ve got a lot of debt, a bit of debt, six hotels.
“Like everyone else, everything is for sale in the UK.
“If anyone gives the right price for any of the hotels, we’ll consider it.”
It might be the case that some of the other hotels are sold, clearing the debt, meaning the remaining properties can stay in the hands of Peel Hotels, according to Mr Peel.
He said: “I don’t want to sell, I love Bradford.
“A knockout deal, I’d have to consider it, I’m not going to live forever.”
Mr Peel added: “The Midland has been fantastic for us.
“It’s been doing really well for us, a good manager, good staff.
“This year will be the best year ever since buying it.”
The businessman is also still committed to the future and upkeep of the hotel.
He said: “We’re still investing in The Midland as we speak.
“We’re spending a lot of money in the ventilation system and air conditioning in public areas.
“We’re moving onto the next stage of the exterior, cleaning and repairing.”
Former owner Mr Pennington, who told the Telegraph & Argus he sold the hotel for £4.8 million 25 years ago - £1.8 million more than its current asking price – said the premises needs to be under the correct ownership but fears it could end up in the wrong hands due to the price.
He added: “If someone good came in for it, it could be put back to almost one of the top hotels in the country.”
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