Whitbread PLC, the powerhouse behind the Premier Inn brand, has secured a new development site on the fringe of Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter. The site, acquired from Premcor on Rochdale Road, boasts planning permission for a striking 229-bedroom hotel. This move aligns with Whitbread’s ambitious plan to refine its portfolio of Manchester city centre hotels.

Scheduled to break ground in summer 2024, the project will be executed by GMI Construction Group, marking a significant expansion for Whitbread in the area. This development underlines Whitbread’s commitment to Manchester, where it already operates six Premier Inn hotels in the city centre, alongside numerous others in the wider city region.

Paul Smith, Whitbread’s Property Acquisition Manager, highlighted the strategic nature of this acquisition. “This investment on Rochdale Road significantly bolsters our development pipeline, introducing 229 additional bedrooms in a strategically chosen part of the city centre. This site is perfectly positioned to meet our guests’ needs, ensuring Whitbread’s continued growth in Manchester,” he stated.

The planned hotel will not only increase Premier Inn’s room capacity but also enhance guest experience with a blend of standard and Premier Plus rooms. The ground floor is set to feature an integrated restaurant, bar, and check-in area, adding to the locale’s appeal.

This development is a continuation of Whitbread’s investment in Manchester, following the opening of a 157-bedroom Premier Inn at Princess Street in May 2021 and the redevelopment of its Manchester City Centre (Deansgate Locks) hotel into a student accommodation and office building complex.

Whitbread PLC, a leading player in the hospitality industry, operates over 800 hotels across the UK and is expanding its footprint in Germany. The company is dedicated to contributing positively to the communities it serves, with a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility.

This new venture in Manchester’s Northern Quarter represents not just a growth in Whitbread’s hotel offerings but a commitment to enhancing the city’s accommodation landscape, catering to the evolving needs of travellers and locals alike.