Green light for 200-room hotel, roof terrace and huge new events space at Victoria Warehouse

Plans for an extra 200 rooms and a huge new conferencing and events space at the Victoria Warehouse hotel have been approved by Trafford Council.

Proposals for the island site in the shadow of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium also include a seven-storey car park.

Victoria Warehouse is classified as a ‘non-designated heritage asset’ and is made up of two large detached warehouse buildings scaling four and six storeys, known as the eastern and western warehouses, and a central two-storey arena which is used as a concert venue.

Cllr Mike Cordingly told Trafford’s planning committee the plan was ‘one of the most important designs to come to the borough for a long time’.

“I want to voice my enthusiasm for this application,” he said. “It’s not just a case of allowing this. I love this design. This is going to be seen from MediaCity UK and everywhere.

“I particularly like the western warehouse, and how they’ve not tried to impersonate the building. I really love this. And to have solar panels on the other side [south facing] is fantastic. It’s the best application that I’ve had in front of me on the planning committee. I love it.”

Chair of the committee Cllr Barry Winstanley echoed his thoughts.

“This is an excellent use of a heritage asset that was crumbling,” he said. “When I first arrived to Manchester in the 1980s, I used to go to companies there and it was falling down. I’m absolutely thrilled with this proposal.”

Hotel reservations

However, Cllr Simon Thomas voiced ‘one or two reservations’ after joking: “Cllr Cordingly is certainly on the fence with this one.

“My reservations are regarding the traffic management once it’s fully developed, especially the difficulties the venue will have when the Premier League ask Manchester United to play at home on a Thursday afternoon at 3pm.

“And on the noise levels, I do hope the company will work with officers across the board and that teething problems can be sorted out. I like the venue as it is now, but this will certainly enhance it.”

Roof terrace

The plans also include a roof terrace for the eastern warehouse and the ‘reconfiguration’ of the second and first floors of the western warehouse for corporate event space.There will also be solar panels on the south-facing side of the eastern warehouse, enhancing the building’s sustainability.

David Cohen, the director of the applicant company Adam Geoffrey Management Ltd, told the committee the proposals were ‘designed to be truly sustainable’.

“They reflect the most up-to-date planning policies and guidance both nationally and locally,” he said.

Key benefits

“Its key benefits are that the site operates as a culturally important leisure destination for people from all parts of the world. The redevelopment and extension of the building with further improve its facilities and ability to host a wider range of events and attract a greater international client base to the city.

“It is a heritage asset. The proposed scheme reflects this and shows great respect. It brings the asset to life, promoting activity and regeneration, allowing it to be utilised for future generations. It will in turn enhance activity in this part of Trafford.”

The plans were unanimously approved.