Construction starts on Wigan’s Hampton by Hilton

An anchor of the borough’s £135m Fettlers project, the 144-bed hotel is earmarked for a winter 2027 opening.

Main contractor Galliford Try is on site this month delivering the Hampton by Hilton Wigan.

Designed by Jmarchitects, the hotel will be 62,400 sq ft and six storeys tall when complete. In addition to its 144 rooms, it will include meeting facilities, a gym, a dining area, and secure parking.

CGIs released on Wednesday, and published in this article, give a taste of what the finished hotel will look like once Wigan Council takes ownership of it. The hotel will be operated by Leaf Hospitality.

The interiors have been inspired by the Northern Soul musical genre. Credit: Jmarchitects

The Hampton by Hilton Wigan is a cornerstone in Wigan Council’s redevelopment of the former Galleries shopping centre in the heart of the town centre. The local authority is working with development partner Cityheart to deliver the overall project, which includes a new market hall, more than 400 homes, and a series of bars and restaurants.

“It’s great to see the progress of this exciting Hampton by Hilton development, which not only plays a role in Wigan’s regeneration, but continues to strengthen our footprint in the North West,” said Paul Blackmore, vice president for development in the UK & Ireland for Hilton.

“The ambition shown by Wigan Council and Cityheart to create a dynamic new hub for retail, leisure, business and living truly resonated with us and we look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens in late 2027.”

Darren Jones, development director at Cityheart, spoke about the importance that the hotel plays within the larger masterplan.

“Confirming the construction start of an established name like Hampton by Hilton at Fettlers is another step towards realising our shared vision for a vibrant, future-focused town centre,” Jones said.

“This hotel will provide a best-in-class hospitality offer for Wigan, supporting both residents and visitors while enhancing the town’s appeal as a destination,” he continued.

“We are proud to be bringing a world-class brand to the borough and to see confidence in the opportunities Fettlers will create.”

Wigan Council Leader Cllr David Molyneux described the construction of the hotel as a “major milestone” for Fettlers.

“It means we’re another step closer to bringing this transformational development to life,” he said.

“We’re excited to be working with construction partner Galliford Try and hospitality provider Leaf Hospitality. And to see a prestigious brand like Hampton by Hilton investing in our town centre reflects the growing confidence from investors, businesses, and partners in what’s to come – it’s all part of a vibrant new chapter for Wigan.”

The market hall at Fettlers, pictured above, is due to be the first part of the project to finish. Credit: via Inform

As for the rest of the Fettlers project – work on the market hall is continuing at pace, with Galliford Try having installed more than a third of its steel structure. The hall will be the first phase of Fettlers to complete, with construction due to finish in late 2026. Northern Lights Group, which operates the Egyptian Room in Oldham and Animate in Preston, has already been locked in to run the facility.