“Country’s worst hotel chain” reports increase in profits and revenue

A hotel chain which is regularly voted the worst in the country has reported increased profits and revenues.

Britannia Hotels, which was launched in Manchester and has its headquarters in the city, has been voted worst hotel chain in the country for the last seven years by Which? Magazine.

Britannia has more than 60 hotels across the UK, and despite a tough 12 months, it said revenues had risen by 19% year-on-year.

Turnover for the firm rose from £96.9m in 2018 to £115.4m in the year to March 31, 2019 – an increase of around 19%.

The firm made £75m gross profit in 2019 up over £10m from 2018’s £64.4m.

Despite that, 2019’s numbers for operating profit were down on 2018’s – £19.3m from £20.7m as a result higher administrative expenses.

The firm owns the Britannia and Sachas in Manchester and the Adelphi in Manchester.

According to documents on Companies House the firm added seven new sites over the past year.

Britannia added that trading conditions show “some signs of improvement at selected locations”.

The statement said: “The hotel industry in the UK is becoming increasingly competitive and this brings an increased risk of losing major sales accounts to competitors.

“The group manages to control this risk by adding improved services whilst retaining highly competitive prices and maintaining good customer relationships.”

It added: “The strategic acquisitions of hotels made during the current year is expected to increase our service offering.

“The directors recognise that economic conditions in the short term are likely to put strains upon the business and have carefully considered the availability of working capital and likely levels of trading over the next 12 months.

“They are confident that the business is well placed to meet the challenges including the uncertain outcome of Brexit.”