Whitbread secures planning for 693-bedroom hub by Premier Inn hotel near Trafalgar Square
Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business, has secured planning permission to build a 693-bedroom hub by Premier Inn hotel at 5 Strand, near Trafalgar Square, in a prime location just metres from Nelson’s Column.
This new hotel – construction begins in 2025 – will become one of London’s largest budget hotels and Whitbread’s largest hub by Premier Inn in its portfolio.
The development represents a £200 million investment and reinforces Whitbread’s commitment to expanding its affordable hotel offerings in the capital, where demand for budget hotel rooms continues to outstrip supply.
The hotel’s 16,000+ square metre site will span thirteen storeys, with a contemporary design aimed at delivering a modern guest experience in the heart of London.
Mark Anderson, Managing Director for Property and International for Whitbread, expressed the significance of this project, noting,
5 Strand is an excellent example of how we think the hub by Premier Inn brand can evolve in Central London. It also shows how we can use Whitbread’s strong balance sheet to acquire the best positioned, most accessible and high-demand locations in the capital to grow our brands.
The hotel will feature compact rooms, approximately half the size of a standard Premier Inn room, designed for modern travellers seeking both affordability and convenience.
Guests can expect a focus on technology and a relaxed lounge-style food and beverage offering.
Moreover, in line with Whitbread’s sustainability goals, the hotel will be powered entirely by renewable electricity, contributing to the company’s target of reducing its direct emissions to zero by 2040.
For UK-based business travellers, this development signals an enhanced offering of centrally-located, budget-friendly accommodation options. Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, commented on the impact this project will have:
The new hub by Premier Inn at 5 Strand will be an excellent addition for UK business travellers needing to stay in the heart of London. Its location and affordability will offer our clients greater flexibility when managing their business travel budgets.
This project further demonstrates Whitbread’s aggressive expansion in the London market, where they already operate more than 100 locations within the M25, with plans to add more in the coming years.
Once complete, the hotel will employ around 150 staff, with recruitment efforts focused within Westminster and surrounding boroughs.
For more information on how this development might benefit your company’s business travel needs, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.
