Blackpool hotel ended agreement with Marco’s restaurant due to ‘restrictions’

The operators of Blackpool’s Holiday Inn ended the arrangements with Marco Pierre White’s restaurant brand because of “restrictions” with the deal, it has emerged.

Marco’s New York Italian restaurant opened with great fanfare at the same time as the hotel’s grand launch in May 2024.

But on Friday Blackpool Council and RBH Hospitality Management officially announced that the restaurant was being rebranded under the name Platform 9 and would no longer be under the Marco’s banner.

It comes as new Platform 9 signage appeared at the hotel this week, ushering in a new era for the restaurant, with all signs relating to Marco’s removed.

It was understood that the operators had ended the agreement with the restaurant chain but no further details were given at the time.

However, council documents show that the council made the move to “terminate” the agreement because it was too restrictive.

A report to accompany a non key executive decision, on a change to the branding of the restaurant, stated in December: “Prior to the opening of the Holiday Inn hotel it was it was advised that branded restaurants attracted more business.

“However, since the launch of the Marco’s New York Italian brand in the Blackpool ‘Holiday Inn’ Hotel in 2024, the Council has been advised that commissions from food and drink sales, as well as fixed branding fees have reduced the commercial performance, impacting on the profitability of the hotel and restaurant.

“The restaurant has been trading for 18 months. Hotel guests do choose to dine at the hotel, but their decision is driven primarily by convenience, as the on-site restaurant.

“As such, it is unlikely that performance will deteriorate with the change of brand, but it will benefit from not incurring branded franchise fees.

“Given these commercial and operational limitations, the Marco’s New York Italian brand has proven too restrictive for the hotel.

“Transitioning to an expanded Platform 9 Bar & Kitchen concept will offer greater autonomy in menu development, improved cost control, and allow for more flexibility to cater for the guests staying at Holiday Inn Blackpool and additional customers.

“This change is expected to enhance profitability, operational efficiency, and overall team morale.”

In the official announcement last week, Mark Winter, General Manager at Holiday Inn Blackpool, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the popularity of the hotel since we opened.

“This move will allow us to be more flexible with the menu that we offer. I know that our kitchen and waiting staff are excited to let their creativity flow with a new menu and offering specials for our guests to enjoy.

“We will be releasing tables to book through the Platform 9 website soon, as well as releasing the new menu.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment at Blackpool Council, added: “We knew that a hotel and restaurant would be a success, particularly when sandwiched between the train station and tramway extension, and with over 8,000 workers and students on their doorstep in the coming years.

“This move will allow the Platform 9 offer to grow, reducing commission and offering more flexibility to the excellent team which run the hotel already.”

Black and White Hospitality Limited, which owns the franchise rights to the Marco’s New York Italian brand and operates many of the restaurants through a franchise model, was approached for a comment.