Macdonald Hotels plans to continue its heavy investment in new acquisitions and the refurbishment of its current estate as it repositions itself at the luxury end of the market.

The company revealed that it had made £68m-worth of capital expenditure last year, and deputy chief executive David Guile told Caterer that a similar sum would be spent this year.

"We think there is a niche for a good quality collection stretching across the UK," said Guile. "The mid-market is served well, so we're moving away from this."

Central to the chain's strategy is enhancing the branding of its current collection of more than 60 hotels and taking on more city-centre locations.

"We'd like to open in more key cities such as Newcastle, York, Glasgow and certainly London," said Guile. "We've had success with our recent openings in Sheffield and Cardiff, and are interested in building our presence there."

Macdonald is currently in talks for the sale and leaseback of 23 sites, with the transaction expected to complete this autumn.