A significant development is underway in Manchester as GMI Construction Group has been appointed as the principal contractor for a new Premier Inn hotel. This 229-bedroom hotel will be located on Rochdale Road, near the Northern Quarter.
Construction is expected to break ground this autumn, following Whitbread’s acquisition of the site in February 2024. The new hotel will include a restaurant, bar, and check-in area on the ground floor, offering a modern and comfortable stay for future guests.
GMI Construction Group Leads the Project
Whitbread has appointed GMI Construction Group as the principal contractor for its new Premier Inn hotel in Manchester. This development is on Rochdale Road, near the Northern Quarter. The site will feature a 10-storey building with 229 bedrooms, including the latest Premier Plus rooms.
Whitbread acquired the site from Premcor in February 2024. This project is part of their broader plan to invest in strategic locations around Manchester. The ground floor will house a restaurant, bar, and check-in area, aiming to enhance guest experience.
Speedy Transformation Plans
Will Steward, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread, expressed optimism regarding the project’s progress. He stated, “Appointing GMI as principal contractor continues this positive momentum, and we hope to break ground and start building our latest Manchester hotel this autumn.”
Whitbread’s strategy includes transforming the location quickly into their latest format Premier Inn hotel. The emphasis is on delivering a modern and comfortable stay for future guests.
Previous Investments in Manchester
Rochdale Road is the latest of Whitbread’s investments in central Manchester. In May 2021, they opened a 157-bedroom Premier Inn on Princess Street. This opening enabled the redevelopment of the Premier Inn Manchester City Centre at Deansgate Locks, which was sold to Student Roost.
The Deansgate Locks hotel was later transformed into a student accommodation development with over 1,000 beds. This showcases Whitbread’s commitment to evolving their property portfolio to meet various demands.
The upcoming Rochdale Road Premier Inn will be Whitbread’s seventh hotel in central Manchester. It will also be one of the largest, further strengthening its presence in the city.
GMI and Whitbread Collaboration
Anthony Judge, Regional Director for GMI Construction, highlighted their strong partnership with Whitbread. He commented, “Following on from GMI and Whitbread’s collaboration in delivery of the nationally-recognised and impressive Premier Inn development in Keswick, it’s brilliant to see our partnership go from strength to strength.”
The new hotel is set to be a striking addition to Manchester’s skyline. It will feature remarkable brickwork façade, further adding to the city’s architectural diversity.
Focus on Expanding East and Manchester Airport
While the new Rochdale Road development is significant, Whitbread continues to focus on expanding its hotel network. Their current targets include areas to the east of the city and Manchester Airport.
These expansions are part of Whitbread’s broader strategy to establish a more extensive network of hotels, ensuring they cater to a wide range of guests across various locations.
The upcoming developments aim to maintain high standards and provide modern amenities, consistent with Whitbread’s brand reputation.
The upcoming Premier Inn on Rochdale Road marks another significant step in Whitbread’s strategic expansion within Manchester. With its modern amenities and central location, the new hotel aims to offer a high-quality stay for guests. Whitbread’s continued investment in the city underlines its commitment to delivering exceptional accommodation experiences.