Thistle Hotels picks BlowUP for three-year hoarding deal

Thistle Hotels has signed a three-year deal with giant poster contractor BlowUP Media to build and sell large advertising hoardings at all of its 56 UK properties.

The European poster company was set up in the UK last year and already has a contract to erect giant posters at most NCP car parks.

This latest deal is the third of its kind in the outdoor ad sector. BlowUP’s UK rival, MegaProfile, signed a deal with high-street retailer Littlewoods last month.

BlowUP says it will conduct research to see which of Thistle’s properties have prime locations.

BlowUP managing director Mark Bracey says: “This gives us a wonderful opportunity to expand our business across the UK.”

Leeds-based Thistle has 23 hotels in London, making it one of the biggest hoteliers in the capital. These properties, which include one next to Tower Bridge on the Thames, account for 65 per cent of sales.

Thistle’s four-star hotels target both business and leisure travellers.

Since last year the company has been introducing health spas and clubs at five locations, under the Otium Health & Leisure Club brand.