The Hallmark Hotel group has bought the landmark Midland hotel in Derby along with its sister property, the European Inn.

Hallmark, which owns the Belfry House hotel in Manchester, paid around £15m for the two properties, which were sold through the Birmingham office of Colliers Robert Barry. 

The Grade II-listed Midland hotel, which is located in a conservation area opposite Derby Midland Station on Midland Road, was built in 1841 with the advent of the LMS Railway. It is one of the few railway hotels in the UK to retain its Victorian styling.

It has a long association with Rolls-Royce and its patrons have included Queen Victoria and Nottingham Forest football manager Brian Clough.

The four-star hotel is a member of the Best Western consortium and was named the Best Western GB hotel of the year in 2006.

It offers 100 en-suite bedrooms (include 50 executive rooms), the 90-seat Wyvern restaurant, and seven conference/banqueting rooms for up to 150 delegates.

Outside it provides a garden and parking for 90 cars.
 
The European Inn is a contemporary, lodge-style hotel located 200 yards from the railway station on Midland Road.

Facilities include 88 en-suite bedrooms, a 120-seat restaurant that is franchised out, two meeting rooms for two to 50 delegates, and a ladies’ fashion shop.

By Angela Frewin