Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 21693

Lothian-based Macdonald Hotels has made its biggest acquisition since floating on the stockmarket last March.

The company has bought the 62-bedroom, four-star Kilhey Court Hotel in Standish, near Wigan (pictured), in a £3.5m deal, which also involves Macdonald taking on the liabilities of the property's former holding company, Waterloo Holdings.

Jim Busby, Macdonald's finance director, said immediate plans for the property, which is situated in 10 acres of parkland, were to build conference and functions facilities. A planning application has already been made.

It is believed Kilhey Court turned over about £2.2m last year and Mr Busby said he thought the property had the potential to improve on this.

Macdonald now owns 20 hotels and holds a mix of long- and short-term management contracts on 44 others. It also manages 10 timeshare resorts.

Agent in the Kilhey Court sale was Bruce Williamson Hotels & Leisure.