Bradford's historic Quality Victoria Hotel is on the market again, with a price tag of £2.5 million.

The 60-bedroomed building opposite the city's Law Courts has played host to Prime Ministers ranging from Clement Attlee to Margaret Thatcher as well as the Beatles and Rolling Stones.

But now it will change hands for the second time in four years as Friendly Hotels plc puts it on the open market.

The Victoria, which was built in 1867, is being sold with a number of similar hotels owned by the company, which will concentrate on franchising, rather than ownership. Jeremy Jones, associate director of Christie & Co, which is handling the sale, said the proceeds would pay off the company's debts and there had already been a number of early offers which had been turned down.

The hotel is being sold as a going concern, with staff and all fixtures and fittings. Mr Jones said it would mean continuity of operating when a new owner took over. The Victoria has gone on the market as plans are in the pipeline by developers for four other city centre hotels.

Bradford Council's Executive Member for the Economy Councillor Andrew Mallinson said: "We are looking for stability within the city centre and would look forward to an early completion. We would hope to work very closely with the new owner."

The Victoria was built by the Great Northern Railway Company and vied with the Midland as Bradford's premier hotel for many years. Guests have included Wilfred Pickles, Dora Bryan, Arthur Lowe, Sir Stanley Matthews and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Its future hung in the balance in 1952 when Bradford Corporation's town hall sub committee discussed buying the then named Great Northern Victoria Hotel from British Railways and converting it into office accommodation.