PROPERTY

£11m ALTON Hotel

Construction is to start in November on a 175-bedroom hotel at Alton Towers, the Staffordshire theme park.

The £11m project was originally due to be completed by spring 1995 but ran into difficulties over planning permission. Completion date is now set for January 1996.

Alton Towers owner Tussauds, part of the Pearson Group, has appointed Cyril Sweett Project Consultants to oversee the project, which includes a 180sq m conference room.

The theme park, which expects to attract more than three million visitors this year, is currently open from March to November, but once the hotel is open will offer winter and Christmas short breaks.

PRIORY HOTEL Sold

Bath's 21-bedroom Priory Hotel has been bought by local businessman Andrew Brownsword, through agent Robert Barry & Co.

All existing staff under general manager Thomas Conboy and head chef Michael Collom will be retained, with Mr Brownsword taking a back-seat role.

The Priory was part of the ill-fated Select Hotels group, whose parent company Pavilion Leisure went into receivership almost four years ago. It has been managed on behalf of receiver Touche Ross since then.

CAPITAL opening

Last week saw the opening of the London Capital Club, a new venture from the Hong Kong-based International Club Company, on the site of the City's former Gresham Club.

Membership had reached more than 500 by the launch, and it is hoped this will double within a year. About 125 of the members are women.