Property specialists team up to build 15 new three-star hotels

A new joint-venture company, Oxford GB, has been created to build up to 15 quality mid-range hotels in urban and business park locations throughout the UK.

Oxford GB brings together directors Simon Wood and Simon Milan, from property developer and project co-ordinator Oxford Hotel Projects, and Peter Stone and Mike Lethaby, from construction firm Gleeson Building.

They plan to develop three-star hotels focused on the business market. The hotels will typically have about 150 bedrooms, as well as business centres, 24-hour service, restaurants, and health and fitness facilities.

The new-build properties will operate under internationally recognised brand names. The group is currently in talks with a number of names as well as potential investors.

Contracts will shortly be exchanged on the company's first two sites, in Luton and Leeds, while discussions continue for three or four more locations, including Manchester.

Work will start this autumn on the Luton site, expected to open around September 2007.