A hotel chain has announced it is taking over Ipswich's Pentahotel from next week as part of its UK-wide expansion project. 

B&B HOTELS will be taking over the Ranelagh Road business, near Ipswich Station, from Monday, July 15. 

The European chain says they are taking over the premises as part ofits UK expansion project, which will see five new hotels coming to the UK including in Birmingham, Inverness, Warrington, Derby and Ipswich.

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The hotel chain says the premises will undergo a short period of light renovation but the hotel will remain open and operated by current staff members. 

Fabrice Collet, president & chief executive officer of B&B HOTELS, said: “This latest takeover of five hotels follows our first hotel at Heathrow Terminal 5 and is an important step in our UK expansion plans – and our global ambition to have 3,000 hotels within 10 years.

READ MORE: Ipswich Business News

He added: "Our successful growth model and commitment to value for our guests have made us a beloved brand across Europe, and we’re excited to bring that same experience to guests in the UK.”

Patrick O’Connell, chief executive of B&B HOTELS UK, said: “Today’s announcement represents an exciting step for our UK presence – with B&B HOTELS becoming part of the community in Birmingham, Ipswich, Inverness, Warrington and Derby.

The chief executive added: "We look forward to welcoming guests to our hotels in these locations as we continue to drive forward our expansion into other towns, cities, tourism and leisure hotspots across the United Kingdom.”

Pentahotel was at the centre of several police incidents in recent years, such as a bar brawl which led to a police officer being assaulted and a drug dealer being arrested after running a business from one of the rooms.