The best developers identify where growth is going to happen before it’s obvious to everyone else. That was, naturally, at the front of our mind when the Westcombe Group invested in Trafford, Manchester in 2016.
Last year, we secured planning permission for our development at 701-709 Chester Road in Trafford’s Civic Quarter, just a short stroll from Old Trafford. Our scheme will deliver Accor’s flagship Novotel Hotels world-wide with 173 hotel rooms, 61 Novotel long stay rooms, a signature restaurant, pool, spa, gym and conference rooms – all while generating jobs, attracting visitors and making an important contribution to the local economy.
We expect to break ground in 2028 and welcome our first guests in 2030.
Manchester has spent the past two decades establishing itself as one of Britain’s most dynamic cities. It has combined ambition with delivery, attracted international investment and demonstrated what is possible when public and private sectors share a long-term vision for growth.
Manchester United’s announcement this week that it has secured the majority of the land it needs for its proposed 100,000-seat stadium is another milestone in its journey of regeneration and we look forward to working with Manchester UnitedJim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family in joint collaboration. The stadium itself will, of course, dominate the headlines, but for me the bigger story is the wholesale transformation happening around it.
The wider regeneration proposals have the potential to redefine this part of Manchester for generations, creating new homes, jobs, businesses, infrastructure and opportunities. This is not simply a new football stadium – it is the creation of an entirely new district emanating from one of the world’s most iconic sporting destinations.
When Manchester United’s new stadium is expected to come into use, we will already be there, welcoming visitors, supporting local businesses and ready to greet fans coming to see the new stadium for the first time.
Successful regeneration is rarely driven by a single project. It happens when investment generates confidence which, in turn, attracts investment. It is the most virtuous of virtuous circles. Hotels, homes, offices, leisure, transport and public spaces all play their part in creating places where people want to live, work and visit.
In investing in Chester Road, we recognised the potential the area possesses and we look forward to the unveiling of the wider Old Trafford regeneration masterplan on 9 July.
For the people of Manchester and those who want to visit, I believe the best is still to come.