The decision, which required the support of 75 percent of those who voted, means the new company, which will do business as Best Western Great Britain, will have almost 400 properties. The company will be based at Consort's headquarters at Clifton Moor, York.

The result of the vote for each consortium was announced at two separate meetings held in London on March 1. A new management team, led by Consort's current chief executive, David Hayes, will be appointed immediately and recruitment for middle management posts is due to begin once a new structure has been agreed upon. It is anticipated that the current Best Western headquarters at Kingston-upon-Thames will ultimately be closed.
 

In a joint statement from both chairmen, Best Western Great Britain's John Millican and Consort's Jeremy Willcock, said: "We both felt that consolidation was the best way forward for our members and we are delighted that the hoteliers agreed. There was little point in competing in the same market place and by merging, the new Best Western Hotels will offer even greater marketing, sales and purchasing benefits for the independent hotelier."

Best Western International is a membership association of independently owned and operated hotels. It is the world's largest lodging brand with more than 3,800 hotels in 76 countries and territories.