Retail giant The Hut Group swoops for company behind luxury Manchester boutique hotels

Online retail giant The Hut Group has acquired the company which owns two of Manchester’s most prestigious hotels.

The rapidly expanding online health and beauty business has swooped on Eclectic Hotel Group, the company behind the King Street Townhouse and Great John Street boutique hotels, in a deal believed to be in the region of a whopping £50m.

Between them the hotels have 70 rooms alongside popular lounge and bar areas as well as stunning rooftop terraces that overlook the city’s skyline.

Eclectic Hotel Group founders Sally and Eamonn O’Loughlin will continue to own and manage Didsbury House Hotel and Eleven Didsbury Park, both of which were removed from Eclectic Group prior to completion of the deal.

The investment will be supported by a £10m refurbishment upgrade plan.

This transaction adds to The Hut Group’s existing portfolio of Hale Country Club & Spa which they acquired in July 2016.

Matthew Moulding, founder and chief executive of The Hut Group, said: “As a fast-growing, brand-led business we are always looking to develop innovative approaches to drive greater engagement with our customers and today’s acquisition is testament to that strategy.

“With consumer behaviour continuing to evolve away from the traditional high street setting, these two highly prestigious hotels will be instrumental in showcasing our leading beauty and wellbeing brands.”

Eamonn O’Loughlin, founder of the Eclectic Hotel Group said: “While it has been a difficult decision for us to take, we feel both hotels are going into the best of hands with Matthew and his team and we are extremely proud of the portfolio that we have built over the years.”