From a small local business to one of the country’s leading hotel groups
A reputation for top quality hospitality
The Brend Family have played a prominent role in the life of the West Country for nearly a century. Having run a successful butcher’s shop in Barnstaple since the 1920’s, this was only the beginning of a passion for hospitality and for delighting customers that would last for generations to come.
From when Percy Brend first purchased The Exeter Motel in 1955, to when he fulfilled his dream and purchased Saunton Sands Hotel (a hotel which he visited with his wife Florence when they were courting), to the latest investments and renovations of the hotels and restaurants - the Brend Family have gained a reputation for top quality hospitality with excellent attention to detail and this is something that that has stayed with the family business throughout the decades.
Where did it all begin?
The story of Percy and Florence Brend
The name Brend is synonymous with hotels in Devon and Cornwall, but what's the family story behind the chain? Even today, the influence of Percy and Florence Brend is still felt strongly throughout the whole business and the values that it lives by, so take a look at their story and find out where it all began for the Brend Collection.
Percy and Florence are fondly remembered as an exceptional couple who set a wonderful example for the subsequent generations to follow and who, above all, were loving parents who did all that they could to support their children and grandchildren.
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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.
1975
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.
2007
The Carlyon Bay Hotel, St Austell
The Carlyon Bay Hotel opens a new spa, complete with 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.
2016
Bar 62, Barnstaple
Bar 62 is opened, our new unique cocktail bar, attached to 62 The Bank at the Royal & Fortescue Hotel.
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 has rebranded to become the Brend Collection.