Premier Inn signs up for Salford Central – RHWL-designed landmark building

150 150 Daniel Fountain
  • 0

English Cities Fund (ECf) has signed an agreement with Premier Inn to operate a 143-bed hotel and restaurant at the first phase of the New Bailey development – part of the £650 million Salford Central scheme. The hotel has been designed by RHWL Architects. The £12.5 million hotel development will be built on a half-acre site at the corner of Irwell Street and Stanley Street facing south to the River Irwell. As well as 143 standard rooms, eight accessible rooms, the hotel will offer:
• Bar and restaurant facilities
• Lounge/TV/internet/café/public rest areas
• Management office
• Employee tea room
• Servicing area

Phil Mayall, development director at ECf, said: “This announcement is a great boost to the scheme. New Bailey will be the commercial quarter at the heart of the Salford Central development and the new Premier Inn will sit very well in supporting this.

“With the planning application now approved, and agreement with Premier Inn finalised, we are looking forward to work beginning on site.”

Corrie Jones, Associate of RHWL Architects, said: “This Premier Inn will be the first development in New Bailey, so as well as meeting the brief’s commercial requirements we wanted to create a landmark for the area that would draw on Salford’s heritage and existing buildings in a contemporary way.”

RHWL Architects’ design introduces a subtle layering of three primary elements of glazed curtain walling, red sandstone and charcoal brick. This red sandstone is articulated with a subtle serration, which in a contemporary manner mimics the layering and highly detailed façades of many of the area’s Victorian buildings, including Riverside House just across New Quay Street.

When complete, Salford Central – which is made up of two interdependent, but distinct areas: New Bailey, which was masterplanned by RHWL Architects; and Chapel Street – will create around 11,000 new jobs, 220,000 square metres of commercial space, 850 new homes and 390 hotel rooms.

ECf – a joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General Property and The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) – is now in talks with a building contractor, which will start work on site in September.

Daniel Fountain / 17.09.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

Share

  • 0

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.