Corinthia to operate Liverpool's first Ramada Plaza

Corinthia Hotels International (CHI) and Vermont Developments have signed technical services and operations agreements to bring the internationally renowned Ramada Plaza hotel brand to Liverpool for the first time.

The 173-room Ramada Plaza Liverpool will form the centre-piece of Vermont's £100 million scheme, The Quarter, adjacent to the city's new Arena and Convention Centre.

The hotel will be aimed at corporate and high-end leisure customers and will feature a fine dining restaurant, spa, and state-of-the-art business centre with conference facilities. More than 150 full-time jobs will be created by the scheduled opening in June 2010.

The Ramada hotel brand is recognised as one of the top global chains, with more than 1,000 hotels in gateway cities and major business centres worldwide.

The Quarter is one of Liverpool's most eagerly anticipated new destination developments. The mixed-use scheme will form a dramatic gateway into Liverpool city centre, featuring a graceful 22-storey residential tower, office accommodation, retail and leisure space and a new public square.

Mark Connor, chief executive of Vermont Developments, said: "The successful conclusion of these negotiations is a major milestone for our development at The Quarter.

Ramada Plaza is one of the world's foremost hotel brands and to secure such a prestigious hotel operator as CHI is testament to the quality of the scheme and Liverpool's growing international reputation."

Tony Potter, chief executive officer of CHI, said: "We are thrilled to be bringing the upscale Ramada Plaza brand to Liverpool for the first time in collaboration with Vermont, adding to our everigrowing international presence.

"Ever since our joint venture with Wyndham Hotel Group, which names us as the hotel management company for Wyndham Hotel Group managed hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa region operating under the Corinthia, Ramada Plaza and Wyndham brands, we have moved swiftly to pioneer all three brands in new destinations: a Corinthia Hotels property in Romania, a Wyndham hotel in Morocco, a Ramada Hotel and Suites in Dubai, and four Ramada Plaza hotels in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Tunisia and now the UK.

"We are confident that this trend will be sustained with further additions to our managed port-folio over the next few years, making our management capabilities among the strongest in the region."