Grand invitation to Virgin hotels

Grand Heritage Hotels International has written to the 20 hotels marketed in the UK by the Virgin Hotel Collection, inviting them to join its marketing consortium.

Timothy Hadcock-Mackay sent out the invitation after being approached by two of Virgin's hotels.

They contacted him after receiving a letter from Virgin's managing director, Michael Herriot, three weeks ago saying that Virgin was planning to sell the hotels it owned and dissolve its marketing consortium.

"Two hotels called me and said they would be without representation," said Hadcock-Mackay. "I sent them an invite and then decided to write to all of them. There is no harm in that and so far I have had a marvellous response."

One of Virgin's hotels has been sent a Grand Heritage contract, which it is expected to sign this week.

Hadcock-Mackay added: "I will be proactive this week and I will be writing to the hotels that have been sent an invitation."