Hilton Hotels Sale Won't Alter UK Casino Goal

Bosses at Hilton International say they remain committed to Blackpool's casino dream.

The message comes as the entertainment giant prepares to sell off some of its hotels.

Hilton revealed plans to cash in more than £300m of assets in February. The intention was to return the proceeds back to shareholders.

They are now selling 18 hotels across the country, including some prime locations such as Edinburgh Airport and London's Olympia.

Those units being put on the market will still operate under the Hilton name, although a different management company will run them.

Hilton's four-star hotel on North Promenade in Blackpool is not included in the sale.

Last year the company announced plans to build a £200m casino development in the resort and talks have been held with council bosses.

If the plans are successful, as many as 500 full-time jobs could be created.

A spokesman for Hilton International said: "We are still totally committed to the plans that are currently in place in Blackpool and will remain so.

"The hotels that we are selling are purely a management sale and they will continue to be run as Hilton hotels, but under a new management company.

"We have been speaking to several interested parties and are confident that we have some names and potential deals in place for the future."

Hilton International operate more than 400 hotels across the UK with 261 branded under Hilton. It also employs more than 71,000 staff in 80 countries.