Premier Inn signs with ECf

English Cities Fund has signed an agreement with Premier Inn to operate a 143-bed hotel and restaurant at the first phase of the New Bailey development in Salford.

The £12.5m hotel development, located on a half-acre site at the corner of Irwell Street and Stanley Street, will include a restaurant and bar overlooking the River Irwell to the rear of Spinningfields. The hotel will form part of the wider 44-acre £650m Salford Central scheme proposed by ECf.

Phil Mayall, development director of 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."

Nick Johnston, acquisition manager for Premier Inn parent company Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants, said: "We currently have five Premier Inn hotels in central Manchester and the New Bailey scheme adds another excellent location for our customers in the west of the city centre. It's a great location for us and our strong brand and covenant will help to make the overall development a real success."

ECf is a joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General Property and the Homes & Communities Agency.

A contractor is currently in the process of being appointed and work is due to start on site in September.