Signature Living Preston Shankly hotel ‘progressing well’ with summer opening slated

Signature Living has issued an update on the £15m development of Preston’s former Post Office into a second Shankly hotel, saying the project is “progressing well despite the ongoing Covid-19 situation”.

The group bought the 118-year-old, Grade II-listed building from Preston City Council in 2018 and is converting it into a 65-bedroom hotel with bar, restaurant and wedding and events suite, slated to open this summer.

Signature Living said delays in 2019 were caused by Brexit uncertainty and asbestos found within the building, and work stopped temporarily in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Activity resumed on-site in June last year. The roof extension has been completed, interior works are “continuing at pace” and several bedrooms are nearing completion.

Like its sister property in Liverpool, which was the subject of a four-part BBC One docuseries last autumn, The Grand Party Hotel, the project is a collaboration between the family of late Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly and Signature Living. A museum dedicated to his legacy will be curated by Chris Carline, Shankly’s grandson, as at the Liverpool site.

Signature Living owner Lawrence Kenwright said the Preston property will have "its own unique look and feel". It will have a 7,000 sq ft rooftop bar and restaurant and a room called Elysium, which will accommodate up to 22 people to sleep and up to 160 to party over two floors.

Kenwright said: “We are very excited about this project, which represents the next evolution of our brand, and we believe that it will help to supercharge Preston’s night-time offer and aid its destination status.

“I am so pleased with the progress of the renovation, because not only is this is a very challenging project, but to complete the roof extension as we’ve done at this difficult and uncertain time is a reflection of our commitment to our plans and the city.”