Golden Tulip UK has said it will be business as usual at its Manchester and Glasgow hotels, despite the news the properties had been put on the market by their landlords.

The Times last week claimed property agent CB Richard Ellis has been instructed to seek the sale of the Golden Tulip Manchester and Tulip Inn Glasgow, a deal with a potential combined value of £22m.

However, Tulip, which manages the hotels, said even if its landlords Emerald Isle and Townside sold the freeholds its position as operator would remain unchanged due to a fixed term 35-year lease at both sites.

Peter Roberts, chief executive of Golden Tulip UK, said: “Our strong focus is on expanding throughout the UK and Ireland. 

“New hotels in Doncaster, Stoke, Bournemouth, Sheffield and Manchester airport will open within the next 12 months as part of our plan to have 25 hotels by 2009.”

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By Chris Druce

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