A CITY centre hotel will be rebranded under plans for a takeover deal.

The Principal Hotel on Station Road is one of 13 sites due to be taken over by Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), which runs brands including Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo.

A spokesman for IHG said the deal will enable the company to launch its luxury brand Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants.

Keith Barr, chief executive officer of IHG said: “We are focused on continuing to expand our leadership in luxury and upscale, which are both high-value segments with significant growth potential.

"Bringing Kimpton to such an important market as the UK is a key part of our plans, as is the introduction of our new upscale brand, which will provide an exciting, differentiated offering to both guests and owners.

"Together with the recent addition of Regent Hotels and Resorts to our portfolio, we are building real momentum behind our plans to deliver industry-leading net rooms growth.”

The hotels have been acquired by Foncière des Régions and will be operated by IHG under managed leases.

Other Principal hotels set to be rebranded include sites in Leeds, London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Oxford.