Britannia Hotel: Ownership, UK Chain, and Adelaide Pub Review

If you are searching for who actually controls Britannia Hotels, how large the chain is, and what the Britannia Hotel Adelaide pub offers, this article pulls together corporate records, official history, and independent reviews. We’ve checked Companies House filings, the group’s own website, and neutral editorial reports to give you a factual overview. One key verified fact: the chain was founded in 1976 when its owner bought a 100-bedroom hotel in South Manchester (Britannia Hotels official history).

Last checked: 2026-10-08

Type: Pub and hotel in Norwood, Adelaide · Address: 1 Kensington Road, Norwood, SA · Happy Hour: From $5 AUD · Chain Size: Over 60 properties in UK · Head Office: Altrincham, UK · Founded: 1976

Who are Britannia Hotels owned by?

Britannia Hotels is a private company. According to its official history, the group was founded in 1976 when Alex Langsam purchased a 100‑bedroom hotel in South Manchester (Britannia Hotels official). Secondary reporting from Yahoo News UK describes Langsam as the founder and largest shareholder (Yahoo News UK). The principal operating entity, Britannia Hotels Limited, was incorporated on 12 December 1977 under company number 01343600 (Companies House). Files at Companies House show that the company previously used the names Oakenburgh Limited and Britannia Hotel Limited.

A separate entity, Britannia Hotels No.2 Limited (company 08478476), was incorporated on 8 April 2013 and shares the same registered address at Halecroft, 253 Hale Road, Altrincham (Companies House; Britannia Hotels official). Director appointments in 2025 and 2026 — Paul Oliver Lawrence Streets and Prakash Sivarajan — suggest ongoing corporate changes (Companies House). The bottom line: the group remains privately held, with the founding family at the helm, but the exact shareholding structure is not publicly detailed in a single PSC filing we reviewed.

How many hotels does Britannia own?

Secondary reporting from 2025 states that Britannia operates 61 hotels across the UK (Yahoo News UK). The official website does not publish a current live count, but a historical page notes that after acquiring four hotels from the Grand Leisure Group in November 2004, the chain grew to 28 properties (Britannia Hotels official). Since then, acquisitions have added dozens more, including the five Pontins holiday parks in 2011, the Russ Hill Hotel near Gatwick in 2010, and the Bromsgrove Hotel and Spa in 2016 (Britannia Hotels official). Many of these hotels were formerly associated with brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Mercure (Wikipedia). The portfolio size depends on whether you count leased, managed, or wholly owned properties, and no single official list is publicly maintained.

Where is the head office of Britannia Hotels located?

Britannia Hotels’ administrative centre is at Halecroft, 253 Hale Road, Altrincham, Cheshire (Britannia Hotels official). This address serves both Britannia Hotels Limited and Britannia Hotels No.2 Limited. The location places the group’s corporate operations in the Greater Manchester area, close to the original South Manchester acquisition. For customers: all formal correspondence, complaints, and service inquiries ultimately route to Altrincham.

Is the Britannia Hotel good? – The Adelaide pub review

When travellers ask “Is the Britannia Hotel good?” they often refer to the Britannia Hotel in Norwood, Adelaide. A Time Out article rated it an “underrated pub” and noted its $5 happy hour (Time Out). The venue is a two‑storey stone building at 1 Kensington Road, Norwood, close to the Adelaide city centre. One reviewer described it as a solid option for a cheap drink in a historic setting.

The building’s age is estimated at around 1900‑1910 based on local archive records (local tourism community page). It functions as both a pub and a hotel, offering basic accommodation. The happy hour attracts a mixed crowd, from after‑work drinkers to tourists staying overnight.

“Britannia Hotels Ltd was founded in 1976 when the owner bought a 100‑bedroom hotel in South Manchester.”

While the UK chain has a consistent reputation (low customer satisfaction according to Which?), the Adelaide venue stands apart as a local pub with a distinct character. If you are in Norwood, the $5 happy hour offers a low‑cost introduction, but don’t expect the services of a full‑service hotel chain.

Britannia Hotel Adelaide: Location and getting there

The Britannia Hotel Adelaide sits at 1 Kensington Road, Norwood, South Australia, on the fringe of the Adelaide city centre. From the CBD, it is a short 10‑minute drive east along Kensington Road, or a 30‑minute bus ride (routes 140, 141, 150 stop nearby). The address is well‑known in Norwood, a leafy suburb popular for its café strip and boutiques.

The pub’s location makes it a convenient stop before exploring the Norwood Parade or attending events at the nearby Norwood Concert Hall. For those driving, on‑street parking is available but can be limited during peak hours.