Roadside hotels started arriving in the UK during the early-1960s and within a short time over 60 had been built. They were all quite posh and were aimed squarely at the business traveler and more well-to-do families.
Charles Forte opened his first 3 roadside hotels around this time – the Roebuck Motor Hotel (A1 near Stevenage), the Breakspear (M1 Hemel Hempstead) and the Ship (M4/M5 near Bristol). Other big companies got in on the act including Rank, Watney Lion and even the Golden Egg restaurant chain which opened a hotel in Kingston Vale.
Starting in the late-1960s cheaper American-style motels started appearing with Forte introducing their budget Excelsior Motor Lodge chain. Over the years they opened more and more motels and even added Little Chef restaurants to some of them. In the mid-1970s most of them were rebranded under their Travelodge name.
In 1967 Liverpool City Caterers decided to try their hand and opened a motel in Seaford near Newhaven under the Mercury Motor Lodge name.
A brief history of Liverpool City Caterers
Liverpool City Caterers was founded in 1875 with the opening of a chain of cocoa houses in Liverpool. At that time, most daytime food options were limited to pubs, where excessive drinking had become a concern. The cocoa houses provided a welcome, alcohol-free alternative for lunch.
Over the years, the company expanded to include several snack bars and restaurants throughout Merseyside, as well as a large catering division, a brewery, and a bakery. They managed catering at Blackpool Airport, purchased the Bradford Hotel, and established a chain of Hi-Fi electrical shops under the Hardman Radio name. Additionally, they acquired a chain of betting shops and four holiday parks, which operated under their Mercury Leisure name. They later changed their name to Leisure & General Holdings.
Mercury Motor Inns
After the success of their original Seaford location the company expanded rapidly by building seven more motels between 1970 and 1973. A high percentage of these were located in Scotland because of a deal made with the Highlands and Islands Development Board who wanted to increase accommodation in the area. More motels were added in the mid-1970s.
Each motel had its own restaurant open to non-residents and these were considered quite posh for the 1970s – the sort of place you’d go for a special occasion or treat. Most also had large event rooms which became popular for conferences and wedding receptions.
Sold to Ladbrokes
In 1978, the entire company was acquired by Ladbrokes, who sold off most of the assets but kept the four holiday parks along with the Motor Inns. Both were rebranded under the Ladbrokes name..
In 1988 Ladbrokes acquired the Hilton Hotels brand and decided to go more upmarket. Most of the Motor Inns were sold as they didn’t fit in with the new image. Only Watford remained, and this was rebranded under the Hilton name.
List of Mercury Motor Inns
Newhaven (Seaford) – the first Mercury Motor Inn, opened 1967, Had 70 bedrooms. Sold 1989 and renamed Abbots Lodge Motor Inn. Closed March 2000 and later demolished for housing. It was located between Marine Parade and Station Road. In 1970 the entire cast of Dad’s Army stayed here while filming their movie nearby
Basingstoke – opened 1973. originally 82 bedrooms, later enlarged to 125 rooms, still open as the Apollo Hotel
Cardiff (Wentloog Castle) – opened 1972, 55 rooms, demolished 2003 for housing, search out Wentloog Rise for exact location
Ellon – originally the Craighall Inn built 1970, sold to Mercury 1977 for £305,000, 40 bedrooms, renamed Craighall Lodge Hotel in 1998, sold 2007 and demolished, now flats known as Craighall Court
Exeter (Kennford) – opened 1973, 62 bedrooms, still open as the Exeter Court Hotel
Fort William – opened 1973, 60 bedrooms, still open as the Caledonian Hotel
Huddersfield (Ainley Top) – 120 bedrooms, still open as the Cedar Court Huddersfield Hotel
Hornchurch – previously known as the Fairlane Motor inn, acquired by Ladbrokes 1978, 137 rooms, later renamed the Palms Hotel, still open
Inverness – opened 1975, 96 rooms, still open as the Thistle Hotel
Leeds – opened 1973, still open as the Holiday Inn Garforth
Moffat – opened 1973, acquired by Mercury 1975, closed 1999, sat abandoned for 25 years until being demolished in 2024
Ullapool – opened 1973, 60 bedrooms, had its own helipad, later renamed Glenfield Hotel, closed 2010s, now demolished for housing, search out Glenfield Park for exact location
Watford – opened 1970 as the Beehive Hotel, sold to Ladbrokes in 1978 for £1.2 million. Had 116 bedrooms, renamed Hilton around 1990, later expanded to 200 rooms, still open as the Hilton London Watford Hotel.
Wick – opened 1973 as the Norseman Hotel, sold to Mercury the following year, 30 bedrooms, later expanded to 48 rooms, sold 1998 and renamed back to the Norseman Hotel, still open
Wirral (Backford Cross) – opened 1970 on the site of the old Coq d’or Restaurant. It was the second motel in the chain and had 61 bedrooms. It was enlarged in 1971 with 40 more rooms. Sold by Ladbrokes 1988 and renamed the Penguin Hotel, in 1991 renamed the Chester Resort Hotel. Closed 1995 and demolished for housing, search out Old Meadow Drive for the exact location
