Whitbread appoints GMI Construction Group to build Manchester City Center Premier Inn

Whitbread appoints GMI Construction Group to build Manchester City Center Premier Inn

July 29, 2024 Real estate, Property

Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has appointed GMI Construction Group as the main contractor for its latest development in Manchester City Centre.

GMI will lead the construction of the Whitbread site on Rochdale Road, on the edge of Manchester’s northern borough. The site has planning permission for a 229-bedroom Premier Inn hotel over ten floors with an integrated restaurant, bar and check-in area on the ground floor.

Whitbread acquired the site from Premcor in February 2024 as part of the company’s ongoing strategy to invest in strategic locations in Manchester. The company plans to bring its latest bedroom product to the Rochdale Road hotel, including its popular Premier Plus rooms.

Will Steward, project and program manager for Whitbread, said:

“Whitbread acquired the Rochdale Road development site in February 2024 with the premise of rapidly transforming the site into a state-of-the-art Premier Inn hotel. Appointing GMI as the main contractor continues this positive momentum and we look forward to breaking ground and starting construction on Manchester’s latest hotel this autumn.”

Rochdale Road is Whitbread’s latest investment in central Manchester in recent years. In May 2021, the company opened a 157-bedroom Premier Inn on Princess Street, south of the city centre. The opening paved the way for the redevelopment of the nearby Premier Inn Manchester City Center (Deansgate Locks), which serves the same catchment.

The Deansgate Locks site was later sold to Student Roost to be redeveloped into purpose-built student accommodation with over 1,000 student beds in July 2024.

Anthony Judge, Regional Director for GMI Construction, said:

“Following the collaboration between GMI and Whitbread on the impressive and nationally recognized Premier Inn development project in Keswick, it is brilliant to see our partnership go from strength to strength.

“This latest development in Manchester’s iconic Northern Borough will be a striking new addition to the skyline with its striking brick facade. We are delighted to be part of this major project and look forward to progressing the scheme.”

When it opens, Premier Inn at Rochdale Road will be Whitbread’s seventh hotel in central Manchester and one of the largest in the city. As it continues to expand, the business is currently focused on delivering its network target in the east of the city and Manchester Airport.