The Gables Hotel, a Best Western property located near the M5 in South Gloucestershire, has been sold in a joint venture between family-run Castlewood and the Vine Group. The 46-bed hotel on Bristol Road was acquired for an undisclosed sum, with the deal arranged by Solihull-headquartered Enterprise Hotels & Hospitality and Simon Steven Associates.
Previous ownership and location details
The property was previously owned by Webb Hotel Group, a collection of family-owned properties in the Midlands, which includes Moor Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield, and the George Hotel and Cathedral Hotel in Lichfield. The Gables sits on a 1.8-acre site off the A38, 20 minutes from Bristol, offering 104 parking spaces. The venue features meeting rooms for up to 200 people, a civil wedding licence for up to 150 guests, and reception space for 200 guests. It also houses a Marco’s New York Italian restaurant and bar with seating for 80, a refurbished bar accommodating 40, and a patio area.
Investor confidence in the hotel sector
Gavin Wright, founder of Enterprise Hotels & Hospitality, said the deal reflected "the ongoing confidence" of investors in the UK hotel sector and the "competitive appeal" of properties in well-connected locations close to major cities. Simon Stevens, founder of Simon Stevens Associates, added: “Following a competitive marketing process, we witnessed purchasers’ selective approach to the market, as investment yields continue to soften and price expectations continually come under scrutiny. In this instance, investors identified a clear strategic value-added opportunity and operational upside with the property and business that ultimately secured Vine Hotels’ commitment.”
Vine Hotels' expansion plans
Vine Hotels is a hotel management, consultancy and development business with a UK-wide portfolio of owned and operated hotels and venues. The acquisition of The Gables follows an announcement last month that Hotel Collingwood in Bournemouth had also joined Vine Hotels’ growing portfolio. Garin Davies, chief executive of Vine Hotels, said: “The expansion of hotel and venue ownership and management is a key aim for us this year, and so the acquisition of The Gables Hotel has come during a busy and exciting period. I am delighted that we have been able to add two new hotels in two months, showing our commitment to growth. The Gables has great business development potential, with an ideal location for UK and international travellers visiting the Cotswolds and nearby tourist towns, while also serving commercial travellers commuting to Bristol and the wider south-west region.”
Webb Hotel Group comments
Angela Burns, chief executive of Webb Hotel Group, added: “I am pleased we have been able to secure the sale of The Gables and pass the hotel into the hands of experienced hoteliers who share our commitment to excellence in hospitality. We wish them every success and look forward to seeing the hotel prosper in the years ahead.”
