Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, has confirmed it is no longer attached to the proposed hotel development at the former Kingston House site on Liverpool's Strand. The update comes after a licensing application for the Premier Inn was granted in December 2025.
Background of the development
At the start of this year, it was reported that Premier Inn was taking over the space formerly home to Kingston House, a 1960s office block with Cooper's Pub and the Figure Factory gym at its ground floor. A blue notice on the site revealed that Whitbread Group PLC had applied to Liverpool City Council for a premises licence for the Premier Inn (Proposed) at the former Kingston House site, James Street/The Strand.
Whitbread PLC, a British multinational hospitality company founded in 1742, operates major lodging and dining chains, including Premier Inn, Beefeater, and Brewers Fayre. Its application was for the sale of alcohol during certain times, and the license was granted on December 13, 2025.
Whitbread's statement
When approached for an update, a Whitbread spokesperson said the brand was no longer attached to the development. The spokesperson added: “Liverpool is one of the UK's most popular destinations, and we are proud to operate a number of Premier Inns across the city, including four hotels in the city centre. As we continue to expand Premier Inn across the UK, we're always on the lookout for new locations for our guests to enjoy.
"We are aware of proposals for a hotel development at James Street on the Waterfront. However, Whitbread does not own the site. We continue to look for opportunities to grow Premier Inn in great destinations across the UK and Ireland." When asked what had changed since the granting of the license, Whitbread refused to comment.
Previous plans and current status
In 2019, developers Marshall CDP shared plans for a luxury hotel on the corner of James Street and The Strand, aiming to create a "landmark hotel" reflecting the location's importance on the city's "world-famous skyline." CGIs by architect Studio MUTT showed two blocks of different colours, varying in height between seven and 10 storeys. The land was bought for £2.75m by West Quarter Limited, part of the Marshall group, in 2017.
Marshall CDP could not provide a statement. A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "The site remains in private ownership and any decisions regarding its future development are a matter for the landowner and prospective developers. Planning permission/licences previously granted by the council remain a matter of public record."
The site has had a tumultuous history, including use as a "pocket park," a row, and a rogue car park. It remains derelict and fenced off, and its future is now unclear.
