Preston's old post office becomes focus of new innovative hotel

Preston's old post office becomes focus of new innovative hotel

Feb, 1 2021


Let’s be honest, Preston isn’t the most attractive of cities but if you’re organising a big wedding ( when life resumes a level of normality) or if you simply want a good get together with some of your best mates then you’ll need a suitable venue to house such an event.
 
In 2018 Mr Lawrence Kenwright of Signature Living hospitality group bought an 118 year old building from Preston City Council. It was the old post office which is now being converted into a 65 year room hotel complete with bar, restaurant and wedding and events suite. 
 
Setbacks occurred throughout 2019 due to Brexit and an underlying problem with asbestos. Work was also postponed in 2020 in response to the pandemic. 
 
By June 2020 work resumed on site with a potential opening date towards the end of 2020. Presently the building’s new roof extension is finished with interior works continuing at pace with several bedrooms near completion.
 
Simply called ‘The Shankly Hotel’ - the project will be a collaboration between Bill Shankly’s family and Signature Living to highlight and commemorate the footballer’s playing career at Preston North End. 
 
Mr. Kenwright expressed the uniqueness of the hotel and what it will bring to Preston, 
 
“Our Preston hotel, will have what I believe to be the most vibrant event space in the UK with Elysium, which will enable as many as 160 guests come for an event or party and at the end of the night up to 22 can stay in the accommodation beneath the event floor. We are very excited about this project, which represents the next evolution of our brand and we believe that it will help to supercharge Preston’s night time offer and aid its destination status.”
 
 The Preston hotel will be similar to The Shankly Hotel in Liverpool which was the subject of a BBC 1 primetime documentary series, The Grand Party Hotel in Autumn 2020. 
 
Mr. Kenwright concludes with these words of satisfaction in relation to the recent developments, 
 
“I am so pleased with the progress of the renovation, because not only is this a very challenging project, but also to complete the roof extension as we’ve done at this difficult and uncertain time is a reflection of our commitment to our plans and the city”. 
 
The new venue is expected to open to the public summer 2021. 
 
^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger