PLANS to develop the biggest Premier Inn in the north of England have been put in motion.

The 276-room hotel, to be located at Manchester Airport, will have the brand’s latest style bedrooms, including its fancier Premier Plus rooms.

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There will also be a trendy space on the ground floor known as ‘The Social’, seen in other Premier Inn hotels.

The space, with a plush bar area and colourful seating, is for checking in and hanging out in style.

Plans have been announced by Whitbread PLC, the parent company to Premier Inn, and MIX MANCHESTER.

The new hotel will look to grow Premier Inn’s bedroom stock by more than 50 percent in the catchment serving the UK’s third busiest airport.

Recently, Whitbread has been investing heavily in Manchester as the company works to realign and grow its network of hotels in the city for its customers. 

So far this year, the company has acquired a consented freehold development site on Rochdale Road for a new 229-bedroom Premier Inn.

It’s also disposed of its Deansgate Locks hotel for redevelopment into alternative uses.

Jill Anderson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: “We are serious about continuing to grow Premier Inn across the north of England and offer the flexibility, security, and development expertise to acquire large hotel sites as we have done at Manchester Airport. 

“Securing what will become the largest Premier Inn in the north of England is a significant moment for Whitbread and one which we are proud to have delivered.

“With passenger numbers growing strongly at the airport I’m sure it will be a popular choice for our customers when we open the doors and start welcoming our guests.”

A planning application for the new hotel is expected to be submitted to Manchester City Council before Christmas.

If it’s approved, construction will be able to start in early 2025.

The hotel will be built on a cleared site adjacent to Manchester Airport’s transport interchange less than 400 metres from Terminal 1 and 2.    

Manchester Airports Group is in the final stages of its £1.3bn Transformation Programme at the airport. 

It’s undertaken an extension of T2, which was completed in 2021, and further upgrade and infrastructure works are due to be completed by 2025. 

Gareth Jackson, Group Property Director at Manchester Airports Group, said:“Whitbread’s decision to open a Premier Inn of this size at MIX MANCHESTER is further endorsement of the complementary offer we’re creating here alongside the airport’s extensive transformation programme.

“It also demonstrates our continued ability to satisfy the growing demand for hotel beds at the airport, as well as providing science, innovation, and manufacturing occupiers we’re attracting to MIX MANCHESTER with a range of additional leisure amenities.”

There are currently three Premier Inns serving Manchester Airport:

• Manchester Airport (M56/J6) Runger Lane South

• Manchester Airport (M56/J6) Runger Lane North

• Manchester Airport (Heald Green)

The newest of the hotels was opened in 2009.

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LEGOLAND Windsor is open for almost half the year, before it eventually shuts for the winter.

However, the park opens back up in October to welcome guests for Brick and Treat. Here’s everything you need to know about the event.

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What is Legoland Windsor?

Legoland Windsor is part of the Lego group and operated by Merlin Entertainment.

Initially opened on March 17, 1996, the much-loved attraction has more than 55 rides and attractions inside.

Ideal for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, the theme park even has Lego-themed hotels and live shows and entertainment.

When does Legoland Windsor close in 2024?

Legoland Windsor normally opens in March to welcome guests for the summer, before it winds down operations for the winter.

In 2024, the park opened on March 15 before closing up for the winter period on September 25.

However, the park reopens to welcome guests for special events and festive activities over the winter.

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What is the Brick or Treat Festival and when is it?

One event that the park reopens for is Legoland Windsor’s Brick or Treat which takes place between October 1 to November 3rd, 2024.

The event sees Legoland Windsor undergo a spooky transformation and features attractions that are unique to Brick or Treat.

Monster Street and The Monster Jam Show are particular favourites for guests.

Monster Street is a walkthrough experience, which features LEGO monsters and ghouls.

The Monster Jam Show is a thrilling concert experience, filled with costumes and music.

Brick and Treat isn’t the only event at that Legoland Windsor reopens for.

The park reopens on certain dates in December to welcome guests for Christmas.

What is the address for Legoland Windsor and how do I get there?

The much-loved resort is located in Windsor, just west of London.

Its full address is Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4AY.

For those travelling by car, these are the best routes:

• M3: exit at Junction 3
• M25 Northbound (Clockwise): exit at Junction 13
• M4: exit at Junction 6

Parking is not included in the ticket.

Legoland Windsor is well-connected by public transport, with trains taking half an hour from London Paddington to Windsor via Slough, or from London Waterloo in under an hour which goes direct to Windsor.

Legoland Windsor Factbox

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Legoland Windsor in 2024:

• Legoland Windsor will be officially open from March 15, 2024, to September 25, 2024
• Located in Windsor, just west of London, the theme park’s full address is Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4AY
• Trains take half an hour from London Paddington to Windsor via Slough
• Trains from London Waterloo take around an hour and go directly to Windsor
• Tickets should be booked in advance online
• An online saver ticket costs £35 per adult, saving you £33 if you purchased the same ticket at the gate
• Parking is not included in the ticket, and you’ll need to pay £8 for a ticket, although booking in advance will save you £1

A POPULAR area in Glasgow’s southside has been named one of the trendiest in the world.

Strathbungo beat stiff competition from Ekkamai in Bangkok, Thailand, and Palace Quarter in Budapest to come in 22nd place in Time Out’s list of the 38 coolest neighbourhoods for 2024.

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Time Out contributing writer Sarah Gillespie claimed it was time for the district to step into the “spotlight.”

She wrote: “Cool new venues have been creeping up Pollokshaws Road for years, and now it’s time for Shawlands’ tiny-but-mighty neighbour to step into the spotlight.

“Strathbungo, in Glasgow’s Southside, began as a village of crofters and weavers before it was consumed by the city’s nineteenth-century expansion.

“Thanks to a dedicated group of residents, it became Glasgow’s first Conservation Area (together with Pollokshields) in 1973, preserving its Victorian terraces and tenements for future generations.

“That same independent spirit endures in its fresh, young businesses: laid back restaurants such as Lobo, boutiques such as BAM and Seamster Vintage, and bars supporting local breweries.”

It went on to point out other popular attractions in the area, such as its wildlife pond, rose gardens, and views over the Southside.

Strathbungo is also on the outskirts of some of Glasgow’s most-loved cultural attractions, including Pollokshields arts venue Tramway.

According to the magazine, the list focused on places that balance great local culture, food, street life, community, and one-of-a-kind local flavour.

To rank the list this year, Time Out’s global network of editors and experts factored in not just great vibes, food, drink, nightlife and independent culture, but also community.

And Notre-Dame-du-Mont in Marseille bagged the top spot.

Despite its reputation as an ‘unholy area’ with a ‘rebellious spirit,’ the town named after the local church boasts colourful cul-de-sacs, graffiti-covered alleyways, streets lined with plane trees, and twisting staircases.

Although it is a far cry from the ‘picturesque charm of Vauban,’ the neighbourhood exudes the jovial, laid-back atmosphere of a local market, the magazine claims.

Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said: “Time Out’s annual ranking of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities. The neighbourhoods on this year’s list have a lot in common: great places to eat and drink, cutting-edge culture, street life and a thriving community.

“But they’re also a distinct reflection of their cities, with each of them offering something special you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

“Some have only just reached their moment; others have been ‘cool’ for some time and are finding a new groove – all of them should be on your radar to visit in these cities.”

Last year, we told how Glasgow’s West End and Edinburgh’s lovely Leith made the popular list.

Leith in Edinburgh and Glasgow’s trendy West End came in at 16th and 20th in the top 40 of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods.