Whitbread PLC and MIX MANCHESTER have announced plans to develop the largest Premier Inn in the North of England at Manchester Airport. The 276-room hotel will increase Premier Inn’s capacity near the UK’s third busiest airport by over 50%, catering to passengers traveling to more than 200 domestic and international destinations.
The hotel will operate on a leasehold basis and feature Premier Inn’s latest room designs, including Premier Plus rooms. It will also include "The Social," a ground-floor space designed for relaxation and socializing.
Whitbread has been focusing on expanding its presence in Manchester, with ongoing investments in new developments. In addition to the Manchester Airport project, the company has acquired a site on Rochdale Road for a new 229-room Premier Inn and sold its Deansgate Locks hotel for redevelopment. This expansion is part of Whitbread’s broader plan to grow its Premier Inn network across the UK, aiming for 125,000 rooms, up from the current 85,500.
“We are serious about continuing to grow Premier Inn across the north of England and offer the flexibility, security, and development expertise to acquire large hotel sites as we have done at Manchester Airport. Securing what will become the largest Premier Inn in the north of England is a significant moment for Whitbread and one which we are proud to have delivered. With passenger numbers growing strongly at the airport I’m sure it will be a popular choice for our customers when we open the doors and start welcoming our guests.” - Jill Anderson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread
A planning application for the new Manchester Airport hotel is expected to be submitted by the end of 2024, with construction anticipated to begin in early 2025, pending approval. The hotel will be located just 400 meters from Terminals 1 and 2, adjacent to the airport’s transport interchange.
Manchester Airports Group is in the final phase of its £1.3 billion Transformation Programme, which includes the expansion of Terminal 2, completed in 2021, and additional upgrades set to finish by 2025.
“Whitbread’s decision to open a Premier Inn of this size at MIX MANCHESTER is further endorsement of the complementary offer we’re creating here alongside the airport’s extensive transformation programme. It also demonstrates our continued ability to satisfy the growing demand for hotel beds at the airport, as well as providing science, innovation, and manufacturing occupiers we’re attracting to MIX MANCHESTER with a range of additional leisure amenities.” - Gareth Jackson, Group Property Director at Manchester Airports Group
Whitbread currently operates three Premier Inn hotels near Manchester Airport, with the newest opening in 2009. The Premier Inn Manchester City Centre (Portland Street) is currently the largest Premier Inn in the North of England, with 233 rooms, while the new Premier Inn on Rochdale Road is expected to open in 2026 as part of the company’s ongoing expansion in Manchester.
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