Haigh Hall hotel development comes to market

Wigan Council has started the procurement process to find a leisure operator to run Haigh Hall & Country Park and create a new hotel at the grade 2*-listed hall.

The council said it wished to enter into a competitive dialogue with companies capable of delivering its plans to regenerate Haigh Hall & Country Park on a profitable and sustainable basis.

The hall is used for weddings, promotional events and fine dining banquets. The park contains stables, extensive historic woodland, a championship standard golf course and other attractions such as craft and flower shops, crazy golf course, play area and informal woodland paths.

The council's brief describes "huge untapped potential" within both the park and hall.

The brief continues: "Wigan Council is keen to hear from companies who are interested in converting Haigh Hall into a new hotel…We are also keen to understand whether there is any interest in creating a wider 'hotel resort' given the existing golf courses and other attractions which could form part of a new hotel resort.

"There might also be the possibility to create additional bedrooms by constructing a sympathetically designed hotel accommodation block to the rear of the hall."

Other options include developing a garden centre, mountain bike trails and tree top walkways.

No value was given for the development opportunity. The hall attracts 300,000 visitors a year. The council hopes to save £8m over 10 years by appointing a private sector operator. The freehold title will not be available.

The Chest procurement system is being used. It could take up to one year to select a partner.