Yotel launches first city centre hotel

Cabin-style hotel business Yotel is set to expand its presence beyond the airports sector with a new 258-bedroom property in Manchester.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

The company, which was founded by Yo! Sushi founder Simon Woodroffe and chief executive Gerard Greene, will build a 20-storey building in the Piccadilly area of Manchester's city centre.

The scheme is expected to create 129 jobs and boost the city's economy by £17m, reported Manchester Evening News.

Yotel has hotels at London Heathrow Terminal 4 and London Gatwick South Terminal, as well as Schipol Airport, Amsterdam. The new 72m-high Manchester property will be the company's first UK hotel that is not related to an airport. New York is the only other location with a Yotel in its city centre.

The scheme was given the go-ahead last week at a Manchester council planning meeting.