Russells start on Premier Inn hotel

Construction of the new 193-bedroom Premier Inn hotel in Manchester has got underway and is expected to be complete within eighteen months.

Russells Construction is carrying out the £10m building work on behalf of developer Property Alliance Group.

The 11-storey hotel, located at the corner of Dale Street and Lena Street near Piccadilly, has been designed by Manchester architectural practice Stephenson Bell.

Alliance was granted planning consent in November to build the hotel, after acquiring the former Bashar Issa-owned site from the administrators.

Dominic Pozzoni, director at Property Alliance Group, said: "We identified the location as being ideal for hotel development and, following a successful planning approval at the end of 2010, and a deal secured in January to forward fund the scheme with the British Steel Pension Fund, we are delighted to see construction begin and look forward to seeing the project coming to fruition."

The site will be Premier Inn's fourth operation in Manchester city centre and its first in the Piccadilly area.