The George Hotel in Huddersfield is sold to Brook Hotels

Principal Hotels last night sold its George Hotel in Huddersfield to Brook Hotels.

The West Yorkshire hotel, built in 1850, has 60 bedrooms, a 140-seat ballroom, an 80-seat restaurant, a smaller 80-seat ballroom, three seminar rooms and a 60-seat board room.

The Rugby League was, apparently, founded at the hotel in 1895.

Agent Christie & Co would not disclose the sale price but said it had invited, and received, ‘offers in excess of £2m.'

Umesh Ummat, managing director of Brook Hotels, said he was ‘delighted' to have secured the purchase of the Victorian property.

He said: "We are keen to acquire a northern presence and we are confident The George Hotel will fit comfortably within our existing portfolio."

Leigh Parsons, at Christie & Co's Leeds office, said: "Principal sold it because they are moving up into the four-star market and this is a three-star hotel."

By Louise Bozec louise.bozec@rbi.co.uk