Construction begins at Stoke-on-Trent’s new Hilton

Ground has been broken on the brand-new Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Stoke-on-Trent, part of the landmark Smithfield development – signalling a key milestone in the continued regeneration of the city centre.

Construction machinery has been moved onto the site as work takes place to create the foundations for the £20 million development, which will create dozens of jobs, provide a new high-quality accommodation offer for business and leisure visitors to the city and boost the local economy.

The 140-bed four-star Hilton Garden Inn is the first Hilton branded hotel in the city and is being delivered in a partnership between Genr8 Developments and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The ground-breaking for the hotel comes just three months after building work started on an 11-storey city centre residential development on the same site.

Cllr Ann James, leader of the city council, said: “This hotel development is another clear indicator that Stoke-on-Trent is changing for the better. We need more hotel accommodation in the city centre if we are to develop as a progressive, vibrant city. When you compare us to places of similar sizes, it has been an area where we have fallen short in the past but we are addressing that now.

“To have a hotel offer like this coming to Stoke-on-Trent shows the growing confidence there is in the city from investors and the private sector. We’re delighted to have Hilton Garden Inn here in Stoke-on-Trent – the fact they want to bring their name and brand to the city speaks volumes for the direction we are heading in as a city, and it will help to attract further investment from other companies.

“When you combine the Smithfield hotel and apartment developments with all the public realm work that has taken place, and the planned improvements to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, it’s a very exciting time for our city. These are landmark schemes which are creating a new direction and future for Stoke-on-Trent, and seeing millions of pounds invested to drive and accelerate regeneration.

“The apartments will give the city centre a significant amount of residents in one location, who will increase footfall, support the local businesses and lead to further investment. The hotel is a completely new offer for the business and leisure market which will draw more people in and only further bolster the area’s economic strength.”

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership has provided a financial contribution for the hotel development, showing leadership and intent by the city council and the LEP to drive the economy and accelerate growth in the city.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise partnership chairman David Frost CBE said: “The start of construction work on Stoke-on-Trent’s Hilton Garden Inn hotel is excellent news for this ambitious city. Expanding and enhancing Stoke-on-Trent’s hotel sector has been a long-term aspiration of the LEP and the city council and it is good to see this new hotel taking shape.

“A growing range of tourism, cultural and leisure destinations is developing in and around the city, making this an increasingly attractive destination for visitors and this new hotel will be a great addition to accommodation in the area.”

The hotel, due to be completed in late 2019, will include a gym, restaurant and bar and extensive meeting room facilities which will be available for hire.

Richard Ingham, partner at Genr8 Developments, said: “We’re delighted to announce that construction works have officially begun on the new Hilton Garden Inn, and are excited to be bringing the Hilton name to Stoke-on-Trent. Our decision to own as well as develop the new hotel signifies our confidence in both the Hilton brand and the demand for a new high-quality hotel in the city centre.

“Reaching this important milestone is testament to all of the partners involved in particular the city council and Hilton. Stoke-on-Trent is a city on the up and the new hotel will be an important addition for both the business and tourism industries in the region.”

Picture caption: City director David Sidaway, Richard Ingham, SSLEP partnerships manager Peter Davenport and Cllr Ann James at the Hilton site