Catalogue description Records created and inherited by the Hotels Executive and successors

The Hotels Executive of the British Transport Executive was established by the Transport Act 1947 which acquired for the state ownership of railways, canals, docks, inland water transport, long-distance road haulage and various other types of transport and services.

Under the terms of the Act, a Hotels Executive was formed to take over and operate the 45 hotels, 400 refreshment rooms and 500 daily restaurant and buffet car services which had been operated by the constituent companies of British Railways.

In 1953 the Hotels Executive was replaced by the British Transport Hotels and Catering Services Division in accordance with the terms of the Transport Act 1953. Under the Transport Act 1962, British Transport Hotels Ltd, a subsidiary company of the British Railways Board, was created to operate the board's hotels and catering services.

In 1973, the station and train catering services were grouped together under the name 'Travellers Fare', within British Transport Hotels Ltd. In 1981, Travellers Fare was transferred back to the British Railways Board and in 1986 train catering services were transferred to the British Railways Board's Inter City sector whilst station catering remained under the control of Travellers Fare.