ONE of Bradford’s most iconic city centre businesses has been sold to the Britannia Hotels chain.
The landmark Grade II-listed Midland Hotel, on Cheapside and across the road from The Broadway shopping centre, was put on the market late last year with a guide price of £3 million.
The man that brokered the sale said the deal will mean the building remains as a hotel while Bradford achieves “global” attention for its City of Culture year.
Christie & Co announced today that the hotel, described as “one of the city’s grandest hospitality venues”, had been sold to Britannia Hotels.
Former guests of the Midland have included Laurel and Hardy, the Beatles, Sean Connery, George Formby, Bram Stoker, JB Priestley, Winston Churchill and Harold Wilson.
Located next to Bradford Forster Square Station, the building opened in 1890 and was built by the Midland Railway Company.
It took around five years to complete.
The hotel is also allegedly haunted by Sir Henry Irving – who died in the building over a century ago.
Irving was the first actor to be awarded a knighthood and is thought to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.
The hotel is famous for its grand ballroom, and last year it re-opened its Spirit of Bradford Bar.
After the sale was announced, Robert Peel, owner of Peel Hotels, said: “The Midland Hotel has always been a great favourite of mine.
"The industrial and cultural communities of Bradford have always appreciated having one of Yorkshire’s finest hotels in their midst.”
Alex Langsam, managing director of Britannia Hotels, added: “We are thrilled to have secured The Midland Hotel as a new addition to Britannia Hotels in a matter of weeks, from first seeing it, to completing the purchase by way of an all-cash deal.
“We are well versed at being custodians of a wonderful heritage property, operating ‘grand dames’ including The Adelphi, Liverpool and our original Britannia Hotel, Manchester.”
Jeremy Jones, head of hotels brokerage at Christie & Co, who brokered the deal, said: “I am so pleased that Peel Hotels have secured a timely sale so the hotel can trade under Britannia’s banner.
“Bradford’s appeal will soon be on a global scale, now the city has been awarded the 'City of Culture 2025'."
David Lee, regional director of Christie & Co's North hotels team said: “I have really enjoyed working with Peel Hotels on the sale of this iconic building in the heart of Bradford."
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