Accor to operate two Fragrance Group hotels in Paignton

Accor has been appointed to operate two new hotels in Paignton being developed by the Fragrance Group as part of a £100m investment in Torbay.

The property which will occupy the site of the former Park hotel on Esplanade Road (pictured), will feature 161 bedrooms, leisure facilities and a restaurant and will operate under Accor's Mercure brand.

And if planning approval is granted by Torbay Council, the the old Lighthouse club next door will become a 115-bedroom an Ibis Styles.

Both brands are part of global hotel company Accor, which estimated that the two hotels will create the equivalent of 150 full time jobs and see new visitors boost the Torbay economy by more than £5m annually.

James Koh, chairman and chief executive of the Fragrance Group, said: "These agreements are the latest step in our multimillion-pound investment programme in Torbay.

"Global brands such as Mercure and Ibis Styles have an extremely loyal customer base around the world and this announcement means they will be able to attract thousands of new visitors to Paignton, creating new jobs, year-round, for local people and boosting the local economy by many millions of pounds a year.

"Torbay is a beautiful part of the world with many natural and cultural assets. Our investment programme across the area, including the redevelopment proposals for the Palace and Corbyn Head hotels, will help Torbay achieve its potential and become a leading 21st century coastal resort."