GLASGOW-based hotels company BDL announced yesterday it had bought the Holiday Inn Express in Greenock, a property it has managed since 2001 – from a group of high net worth individuals.

The price paid for the 71-bedroom hotel – which has reopened recently after a five-month refurbishment programme – was not disclosed.

BDL noted the previous owners had invested in the hotel as an Enterprise Zone Syndicate, an arrangement that offers tax reliefs.

The hotel company said its purchase had secured the jobs of the 17 staff at the Holiday Inn Express Greenock, and provided the previous owners with their desired exit.

BDL, meanwhile, announced yesterday it had signed a management agreement to operate the Best Western Moore Place hotel at Aspley Guise near Milton Keynes on behalf of existing owner Conference Hotels.

Following its latest deals, BDL, which was founded in 1997 and has ambitious expansion plans, owns 19 hotels and manages 23 properties on behalf of others as its portfolio continues to grow.