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Our History

Old black and white image of Barnstaple Square with Imperial Hotel in center

Four Generations

A success story for more than 50 years.

Although each and every hotel, restaurant, spa and golf course has its own story to tell, it’s often the story of how it all began for the Brend Collection that many of our guests are curious about. Take a look below at the key dates of acquisition, awards and more, or visit individual hotel websites for more information on its specific history.

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Brend Timeline

1920

Butchers Shop

Percy Brend opens a Butchers Shop in Butchers Row, Barnstaple.

1955

The Exeter Motel

Mr & Mrs Percy Brend purchase The Exeter Motel. This was the beginning of a passion for hospitality.

1968

Taw Garages

John Brend opens the Fryary Restaurant and Taw Garages is purchased with Richard Brend taking overall control of these businesses. 

1969

The Royal Hotel, Bideford

The Royal Hotel in Bideford is purchased and the company Percy R Brend & Sons (Hoteliers) is formed. 

1970

The North Devon Motel

The Brend family built and opened The North Devon Motel in Barnstaple.

1971

The Royal and Fortescue, Barnstaple

The Royal & Fortescue Hotel was purchased from Watney Mann.

The Devon Hotel, Exeter

The Devon Motel in Matford Exeter was purchased from Grand Metropolitan Hotels. Five restaurants were also purchased from the Milk Marketing Board.

1977

The Royal Duchy Hotel, Falmouth

The Royal Duchy Hotel was purchased.

1977

Saunton Sands Hotel, Braunton

After several years of negotiations, Mr Percy Brend achieves one of his ambitions and purchases Saunton Sands Hotel.

1980

The Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth 

The Victoria Hotel was purchased. 

1981

Brend Tours 

Brend Tours is launched. 

1982

The Carlyon Bay Hotel and Golf Course, St Austell

The Carlyon Bay Hotel and Golf Course was purchased and later achieved 4 star status in 1985.

1985

Petrol Service Station

A new petrol service station is opened. 

1987

The Belmont Hotel, Sidmouth 

The Belmont Hotel was purchased and achieved 4 star status the following year in 1988. 

1988

North Devon Motel 

The North Devon Motel is extended following the purchase of Drake House and Fortescue House. 

1989

The Park Hotel, Barnstaple

The North Devon Motel is refurbished and renamed as The Park Hotel.

1992

The Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple  

The Barnstaple Motel is purchased and refurbished, also the name is changed to The Barnstaple Hotel.

1995

The Royal Duchy, Falmouth

The Royal Duchy Hotel achieves 4-star status.

1995

The Royal & Fortescue Hotel, Barnstaple

The remaining part of the building at The Royal & Fortescue Hotel is purchased for future expansion.

1996

The Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple

The Barnstaple Hotel opens a new outdoor pool and a gym is built. The Leisure Club is also refurbished.

1996

62 the Bank, Barnstaple

62 the Bank is opened on the site of the old Woolwich Building Society.

1996

The Devon Hotel, Exeter

The Devon Hotel is refurbished and ‘Carriages Brassiere’ is created.

1999

The Imperial Hotel, Barnstaple

The Imperial Hotel is purchased from the Regal Group and extensive refurbishment begins. It gained 4 star status the same year. 

2005

Head Office

Brend Group Head office moves to its newly refurbished offices next to The Park Hotel.

2005

Taw Garages

Taw Garages moves to its new premises in Victoria Road in December 2005. 

2005

Brend Hotels is awarded 'RAC Hotel Group of the Year' 2005/06

2007

The Carlyon Bay Hotel, St Austell

The Carlyon Bay Hotel opens a new spa, complete with a steam room, sauna, therapy pool, gym and hot stone beds.

2009

Brend Group Fabric Design

Brend Group Fabric Design Workshop opens at The Park Hotel.

2015

Brend Academy

Brend Academy, offering a range of apprenticeship programmes for young people, is launched. 

2015

Brend Hotels is awarded 'AA Hotel Group of the Year 2015-2016'. 

2016

Bar 62, Barnstaple

Bar 62 is opened, our new unique cocktail bar, attached to 62 The Bank at the Royal & Fortescue Hotel.

2016

The refurbishment and extension at The Park Hotel is completed. Its brand new facilities include 10 more state-of-the-art bedrooms, two of which are fully accessible for disabled guests, the all-new 'Seasons' Bar & Brasserie, high-speed WiFi, electronic check-in, Tesla electronic charge points, landscaped gardens, and a modern lift. We also moved to our newly refurbished office. 

2017

The Park Hotel, Barnstaple

The Park Hotel receives 4-star status.

2018

Source Spa and Wellness, Saunton Sands

Source Spa & Wellness, a brand new luxury spa, is created at Saunton Sands Hotel.

2021

Taw Motor Centre

Taw Garages launches Taw Motor Centre, a premium used-card dealership in Barnstaple. 

2023

Brend Hotels rebrands to become the 'Brend Collection'. 

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