Wigan: Prestigious Hilton hotel to rejuvenate town - council

Council bosses have welcomed news of the new 144-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel

A "prestigious" 144-bedroom hotel is to be built as part of a town's £135m redevelopment.

The six-storey Hampton by Hilton hotel would be located at the former Galleries shopping centre in Wigan.

It would be managed and operated by Leaf Hospitality and would bring about 60 jobs to the area.

Wigan Council leader David Molyneux said the development demonstrated the confidence that investors, businesses and partners had in the town.

Council bosses said they hoped the hotel, located off Market Street, would boost footfall in the evenings and at weekends, bringing new visitors back into the heart of the town centre.

The hotel would include a gym on level one, which would overlook a new square, with the main reception area and dining space on the ground floor.

There would also be accessible rooms with secure parking available, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Rejuvenation of town'

Town hall bosses said the 62,430 sq ft accommodation space was one of the most important elements brought forward under the Galleries redevelopment masterplan, in collaboration with its development partner Cityheart.

The hotel would be located directly opposite the bus station entrance of New Market Street, within 500 yards of both town centre train stations.

The announcement was the latest development for the regeneration scheme since demolition work was concluded on time in February and main contractor Galliford Try was announced for phase one last week.

Wigan council leader David Molyneux said it was "really exciting to welcome Hilton to this multimillion-pound redevelopment".

He added: "This is a well-known and prestigious brand coming to Wigan. It demonstrates the confidence that investors, businesses and partners have with a new market hall, cinema, bowling alley, bars and restaurants, alongside the Hampton by Hilton, coming to our town centre."

Graham Dodd, managing director for development for Hilton UK and Ireland, said: "We were impressed by the council and Cityheart's vision to provide a thriving new retail, leisure, commercial and residential destination and are excited to be part of Wigan's transformation."

Warren Taylor, chief operating officer of Cityheart, said the hotel was "critical to the rejuvenation of the town by increasing and raising the standard of accommodation available".

Construction firm, PP O'Connor is currently on-site, preparing the cleared site for delivery of phase one, which includes the Hampton by Hilton hotel, a new market hall and food court.

This initial phase will be closely followed with the construction of the Pavilion building and the MMC followed by 464 homes across seven new residential buildings and a retirement living complex.