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Dakota Hotels Ltd (Dakota) has reached practical completion of its newest £54 million hotel at MIX MANCHESTER, the UK’s first airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus.

Built by GMI Construction and designed by KPP Architects, the boutique hotel occupies a prominent position overlooking MIX MANCHESTER.

Dakota offers 154 beautifully designed bedrooms, ranging from Classic and Garden Kings and Family Rooms through to Junior and Signature Suites. On the ground floor, guests will find The Bar, with its American-style countertop bar forming the focal point of the space, alongside The Grill, the hotel’s signature on-site restaurant. In addition, the hotel offers 130 car parking spaces with valet parking and a premium chauffeur-driven airport transfer service to and from Manchester Airport for its guests.

Now in operation, Dakota is projected to inject approximately £15 million per annum into the local economy, creating 150 jobs for local people.

The opening marks Dakota’s second Manchester location, following the launch of its city centre hotel in 2019, and is the group’s first and only airport hotel. It forms part of ambitious growth plans for the brand over the coming years, with projects underway or in planning in York and Edinburgh city centre.

Matt Townley, Group Operations Director at Dakota Hotels Ltd, commented: “Dakota at MIX MANCHESTER will be our guests’ destination before their destination. The standard of accommodation is exceptional, whether guests book a Classic King Room or choose one of Junior or Signature Suites. The feedback we’ve had during our soft launch has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re thrilled to be opening our doors to our discerning guests.”

The announcement comes after MIX MANCHESTER submitted a detailed planning application in the spring of this year for the first phase of the scheme, which comprises 70,000 sq. ft mid-tech facilities along with a new mobility hub and public realm.

The planning application also seeks permission for up to 500,000 sq. ft of medium and large-scale advanced manufacturing space and 600,000 sq. ft of R&D, office, lab and hotel uses.

MIX MANCHESTER is expected to create up to 8,000 jobs for the region across the 60-acre site capable of two million sq. ft of employment space.

Chris Rumsey, Property Development Director at MIX MANCHESTER, said: “Dakota’s opening signifies a key milestone in the delivery of MIX MANCHESTER, expanding its world-class amenities. With planning in for the first phase, strong interest in the mid-tech units and £30million of joint venture capital already invested in highways and utilities infrastructure, we’re building huge momentum and are looking forward to creating an innovation hub which will bring economic and social benefits to the surrounding area.”

MIX MANCHESTER is being developed in collaboration by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Manchester City Council (MCC), Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), and Beijing Construction Engineering Group International (BCEGI).

A hybrid planning application for phase one of MIX MANCHESTER comprising over 1.6million sq ft of development has been submitted by the joint venture partnership behind the UK’s first airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus.

Planning has now been submitted to Manchester City Council following an extensive period of public consultation for the first phase. Input from local residents, businesses and stakeholders was used to refine the proposals ahead of the formal submission.

The first phase of MIX MANCHESTER will deliver detailed planning consent for over 70,000 sq.ft of flexible mid-tech workspace aimed at pioneering businesses, inclusive of 10,000 sq.ft amenity space. Also included is a 1,500-space multi-storey mobility hub with cycle facilities, ground-floor commercial uses – alongside local infrastructure and community shaping public realm.

The hybrid planning application includes outline planning permission for up to 500,000 sq. ft of medium and large-scale advanced manufacturing space and 600,000 sq ft of R&D, office, lab and hotel uses. When complete MIX MANCHESTER is expected to create up to 8,000 jobs for the region across the 60-acre site capable of two million sq. ft of employment space.

Helen Ratcliffe, Head of Agency and Development at MIX MANCHESTER, said: “The submission of our first planning application follows months of dedication, marking a key step forward in providing cutting-edge innovation and manufacturing space on a high-quality, technology-focused campus, with units scheduled for delivery from Q4 2027.”

“Our vision for MIX MANCHESTER has been driven from the start by a dynamic joint venture partnership that is underpinned by Manchester City Council’s commitment to growth.

“By seeking both detailed approval for the initial phase and outline permission for future expansion, we are laying the foundations for our truly transformative development that will support innovative start-ups and growing enterprises and create significant job opportunities within the local economy.”

MIX MANCHESTER is being developed in collaboration by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Manchester City Council (MCC), Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), and Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG).

CBRE acted as planning consultant for the scheme. JLL and Track Real Estates are appointed as agents for MIX MANCHESTER.

MIX MANCHESTER, the UK’s best-connected science, innovation and manufacturing campus, has strengthened its project leadership team with a duo of senior promotions.

Helen Ratcliffe MRICS and Emily Fleet MRICS are currently Senior Development Managers for Manchester Airports Group – part of the joint venture behind MIX MANCHESTER alongside Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Pension Fund, and Beijing Construction Engineering Group International.

Both have been heavily involved in bringing to life the vision for MIX MANCHESTER since its inception and will continue to work together to bring the development forward.

Helen Ratcliffe has now been promoted to Head of Agency and Development, with Emily Fleet being promoted to Head of Delivery, underlining the joint venture partnership’s long-term commitment to bringing forward the UK’s most ambitious innovation and regeneration project.

Helen Ratcliffe will lead on the development strategy for MIX MANCHESTER, overseeing the masterplan, investment phasing and relationships with agency teams to ensure the delivery of the world-class campus attracts high-growth science, innovation and advanced manufacturing businesses.

Emily Fleet has responsibility for translating the vision for MIX MANCHESTER into reality on the ground, ensuring the phased programme of development is delivered efficiently, sustainably and in line with the scheme’s wider economic and social ambitions.

The promotions come at a pivotal time for the project, following December’s launch of a public consultation on plans for the first phase of the development, which will create 6,750sqm of mid-tech space across three buildings, alongside a new amenity hub and multi-storey car park (mobility unit).

Helen Ratcliffe, Head of Agency and Development for MIX MANCHESTER, said: “MIX MANCHESTER is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a globally significant innovation and manufacturing campus for the North West. Being part of this strengthened leadership structure will mean we are well-positioned to move from consultation and planning into construction and occupation, supporting Greater Manchester’s ambitions to become a leading UK and global hub for innovation-led growth.”

Emily Fleet, Head of Delivery for MIX MANCHESTER, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for MIX MANCHESTER as we move into the delivery phase of the project. Being appointed Head of Delivery sends a strong signal that the partnership is investing in the leadership and capability needed to bring this extensive scheme forward at pace and with confidence. Our focus is firmly on turning our masterplan into a thriving, sustainable hub that delivers real benefits for businesses, communities and the region.”

The joint venture behind MIX MANCHESTER is progressing plans for the full 60-acre campus, which will ultimately deliver up to two million sq. ft of high-quality advanced manufacturing, R&D, laboratory and office space and create up to 8,000 jobs.

Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) has announced an investment of £42million to facilitate the development of the North of England’s largest Premier Inn within the MIX MANCHESTER hotel district at Manchester Airport.

The announcement comes weeks after GMPF confirmed it had raised its stake in the joint venture partnership of MIX MANCHESTER, increasing its shareholding up to 30%, along with Manchester City Council, which has taken on a shareholding of 30%.

The funding agreement paves the way for construction to start by main contractor, Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) – which also forms part of the MIX MANCHESTER joint venture. With work already underway, completion has been earmarked for Q2 2028.

In February 2025, MIX MANCHESTER and Whitbread PLC, the parent company to Premier Inn, secured planning approval from Manchester City Council for the new 276-bedroom hotel. Designed by 5plus Architects, the Premier Inn will showcase the hotelier’s latest style bedrooms, including its popular Premier Plus rooms, and the brand’s stylish ‘The Social’ space on the ground floor.

The new Premier Inn is the fourth hotel to be built within MIX MANCHESTER’s hotel district, which is a two-minute walk from the airport’s Ground Transport Interchange and close to Terminals 1 and 2. Beyond the hotel district, on the northern edge of the MIX MANCHESTER campus, construction of Dakota’s second hotel in Manchester is well underway and is set to open in 2026.

A public consultation for phase one of MIX MANCHESTER launched on 8th December 2025. The vision is to create one of the largest science, innovation and manufacturing campuses in the UK. This investment announcement and start on site comes as MAG reaches the final stage of its £1.3bn Terminal 2 Transformation Programme in December 2025.

Speaking on behalf of GMPF, Colin Thomasson from CBRE, Manager for the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund, commented: “GMPF’s funding of this landmark development at MIX MANCHESTER underlines the Fund’s continued commitment to the project. This latest arrangement follows the recent increase in GMPF’s shareholding in the joint venture and reflects how the Fund’s local investment strategy is creating tangible benefits across Greater Manchester.”

Jill Anderson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: “This new Premier Inn hotel at Manchester Airport is an exceptional one given its size, location, and the collaborative way we worked with MIX MANCHESTER to secure the site and reach this milestone. I’m grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to get us to this point, and I look forward to seeing the delivery of what will become the largest Premier Inn hotel in the North of England – in a truly exciting location.”

Emily Fleet, Development Manager for MIX MANCHESTER, said: “Bringing Premier Inn’s largest hotel in the North of England to MIX MANCHESTER – thanks to the funding provided by GMPF – is a major win for Whitbread, our joint venture partners and Manchester Airport. The new hotel joins a strong line-up of brands that deliver market-leading places to stay and will serve our thriving innovation campus long into the future.

“With our public consultation underway to inform the first phase of our development, our plans are gathering pace to deliver MIX MANCHESTER, one of the largest science, innovation and manufacturing campuses in the UK.”

A six-week public consultation for phase one of MIX MANCHESTER launches on Monday 8 December 2025, giving residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to shape the UK’s first airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus.

The planning application for phase one of MIX MANCHESTER is being prepared by the joint venture partnership: Manchester City Council (MCC), Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG).

Running from Monday 8 December 2025 to Friday 16 January 2026, residents, businesses and stakeholders are invited to help refine the proposals ahead of the submission of a final planning application being made to Manchester City Council in early 2026.

Phase one of MIX MANCHESTER aims to deliver 6,750 sqm of Mid-Tech space across three adaptable buildings comprising 11 workspaces in total, plus a dedicated amenity space – enabling start-up and scaling businesses to collaborate, incubate ideas and accelerate growth within a purpose-built ecosystem on the wider MIX MANCHESTER campus. This phase will also deliver a multi-storey car park with ground-floor commercial space.

The planning application will be submitted as a hybrid application, seeking full planning permission for the Mid-Tech units and a multi-storey car park, as well as outline planning permission for future development areas across the wider site, totalling over 100,000 sqm of flexible hybrid commercial space  with medium and large scale manufacturing, to be delivered in later phases.

Emily Fleet, development manager for MIX MANCHESTER, said: “As we move forward with planning for  MIX MANCHESTER, it’s important that the voices of residents, the local business community and other relevant stakeholders inform our ambitious plans.

“This is an extremely significant development for Greater Manchester, driven by a dynamic joint venture partnership, with the full backing of the Council and funding from central government, so we really encourage people to share their views and help us bring these plans to life.”

Full details of the phase one proposals and the draft SRF for the wider development are available on the dedicated consultation website: www.mix-manchester.com/consultation

Members of the public are invited to attend in-person consultation events at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe, M22 1QW to learn more about the proposals and speak directly with members of the project team:

Monday 15 December 2025 – 2pm to 7pm
Thursday 8 January 2026 – 2pm to 7pm

Wythenshawe residents close to the site will also receive direct communications in the coming weeks, with instructions on how to respond to the consultation.

Additional ways to get in touch include:

Community information line: 0800 068 8471 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: info@mix-manchester.com

The deadline for all comments is Friday 16 January 2026.

The joint venture partnership behind MIX MANCHESTER has confirmed Manchester City Council (MCC) has taken a 30% stake in the development, as well as existing shareholder, Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), increasing its share in the project from 10% up to 30%.

These changes follow Columbia Threadneedle Investments’ (CTI) decision to relinquish its 50% shareholding in the 2 million sq. ft. science and innovation campus next to Manchester Airport.

Commenting on behalf of MIX MANCHESTER, Gareth Jackson, Group Property Director at Manchester Airports Group, said: “MCC’s investment marks an important milestone in the delivery of MIX MANCHESTER. This strategic move strengthens both regional confidence and ownership in one of the UK’s most significant science, innovation, and manufacturing campuses and will ensure the project delivers maximum benefit to Manchester and the wider region.”

Leader of the Council Cllr Bev Craig said: “The airport is a key engine of economic growth and its impact is felt across the city and wider region. MIX Manchester will create thousands of quality jobs in key growth industries – creating clear employment pathways for our residents to share in the success of our city. We believe MIX will be a catalyst for further investment in Wythenshawe – complementing the regeneration programmes in the local area – and an outstanding opportunity to attract and develop new businesses in a prime growth location, while creating financial returns for Manchester.”

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Chair of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and Executive Leader of Administering Authority (Tameside) said: “I am proud that Greater Manchester Pension Fund, partnering with Manchester City Council, is increasing its investment in MIX Manchester. This site is strategically important for the growth of the science and innovation economy in Greater Manchester and the wider region, to provide the quality high-tech jobs of the future, whilst enabling GMPF to secure the pensions of our members.”

Manchester City Council’s Executive Committee approved the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for MIX MANCHESTER in November 2024, after an extensive public consultation with local residents, community groups, councillors, and stakeholders.

When completed, the development will be the UK’s only campus of its kind located next to an international airport, offering unparalleled connectivity for global collaboration and creating up to 8,000 employment opportunities.

The ‘shovel-ready’ site benefits from £30 million of joint venture capital invested in infrastructure, including a new pedestrian bridge linking to the airport, the Enterprise Way link road, and high-capacity utilities connections.

Designed by Sheppard Robson and Planit, with CBRE as planning consultants, MIX MANCHESTER is being marketed by JLL and Track Real Estate as agents.

MIX MANCHESTER – the UK’s best-connected manufacturing and innovation campus – has chosen CHY Consultancy as its dedicated social value partner.

The team at CHY Consultancy will now work closely with the team at MIX MANCHESTER to shape, enhance and embed social value in every aspect of the £1bn scheme.

CHY Consultancy brings more than 15 years’ experience of delivering real, measurable outcomes that support both industry and community wellbeing.

The specialist consultancy will support the MIX MANCHESTER team with integrating social value initiatives that will benefit the local community throughout construction and long-term operations.

CHY Consultancy will focus on implementing the South Manchester Social Value Framework, of which MIX MANCHESTER is a proud supporter, while providing ongoing strategic support for seamless social value delivery at all stages of development and assisting the team in navigating the social value aspects of the planning process.

Through the partnership, MIX MANCHESTER will be better positioned to meet the growing demand for socially responsible development, while reinforcing its commitment to long-term sustainability and community impact.

Emily Fleet, Development Manager of MIX MANCHESTER, said: “As a place for innovative ideas to come to life and thrive, delivering long-term social value is an intrinsic part of our aspirations for this flagship scheme.

“CHY’s insight and expertise will help to ensure that our team is able to meet expectations among local people and key stakeholders, while setting a new standard for creating place-based impact in the region.”

Rob Wolfe, Managing Director at CHY Consultancy, said: “Our early involvement in MIX MANCHESTER provides us with the opportunity to embed social value into every stage of the development, from planning, through construction, and operation. We will work with colleagues across all sectors, our project partners and local communities to shape our collective ambitions, ensuring we make a positive impact on the existing and future communities of South Manchester.”

Once completed, MIX MANCHESTER will deliver cutting-edge advanced manufacturing, R&D, laboratory and office space with complementary hotel and amenity uses – all set within a high-quality urban environment including a brand-new public realm.

Served by Manchester Airport’s transport infrastructure, MIX MANCHESTER is designed to widen access to jobs and skills, improve local connectivity, and support the continued growth of the region’s innovation sector.

The joint venture partnership delivering MIX MANCHESTER has announced it is in advanced talks with Manchester City Council (MCC), and existing shareholder Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), regarding the acquisition of Columbia Threadneedle Investments’ (CTI) 50% shareholding in the development.

Commenting on behalf of MIX MANCHESTER Gareth Jackson, group property director at Manchester Airports Group, said: “We can confirm we are in talks with MCC and GMPF regarding their potential investment in MIX MANCHESTER. We believe this represents an incredible opportunity to be part of one of most exciting science, innovation, and manufacturing developments in the UK and we look forward to releasing more information regarding this very soon.”

The announcement comes on the back of Manchester City Council’s Executive Committee approving amends to the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) in November last year, following an eight-week period of public consultation with local residents, community groups, councillors and stakeholders.

Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “MIX MANCHESTER is an ambitious next phase for Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe, and another important engine of economic growth for the city, which will deliver thousands of high-quality jobs creating great opportunities for our residents.

“MIX is perfectly located to provide a platform for high growth industry to thrive and to continue to build on the city’s reputation as a centre of excellence for research, science, tech and manufacturing. This investment also complements the wider regeneration of Wythenshawe, including the transformation of the town centre and infrastructure investment at the hospital.

“Our ambition is for MIX Manchester to be an exemplar for public private collaboration, maximising the social and economic impact for the people of Manchester, while generating financial returns for the city.”

MIX MANCHESTER will be one of the largest science and innovation campuses in the UK, delivering 2 million sq ft of high-quality advanced manufacturing and innovation space. It will be the only UK campus of its kind adjacent to an international airport and will create up to 8,000 jobs.

A range of buildings will be available, including mid tech, advanced manufacturing, research and development, laboratory and office spaces, alongside complementary amenities such as hotels, leisure facilities and high quality public realm.

In total, £30m of joint venture capital has been invested in highways and utilities infrastructure to service MIX MANCHESTER. A new pedestrian bridge linking to the main airport site, the Enterprise Way link road and the installation of high voltage electricity and utilities connections have already been completed on the ‘shovel-ready’ site.

Sheppard Robson and Planit designed the masterplan; CBRE is acting as planning consultants; and JLL and Track Real Estate have been appointed as agents.

As the MIX MANCHESTER team joins Manchester’s delegation for MIPIM 2025 they’ll showcase the diverse range of spaces which will be delivered at the UK’s first airport-based, globally connected science, innovation, and manufacturing campus.

Spanning over 2 million sq ft, the development will include Mid Tech units, advanced manufacturing, R&D labs and office space, alongside hotels, leisure facilities and public areas for people to enjoy.

One of the first products on the 60-acre site will be up to 118,000 sq ft of Mid Tech units, providing flexible and affordable R&D, scale up laboratory, manufacturing and engineering space.

Also known as Tech Boxes, these easily adaptable spaces offer a high degree of flexibility for both start-up and established companies, supporting industries ranging from satellite components to cell and gene therapy, carbon capture, and advanced robotics.

Often these companies will be working on the advancement and acceleration of ideas and concepts that have been successful at early research stage but need further development to scale-up production and prepare for large scale manufacture. The airport location means MIX MANCHESTER is ideally located for national and global connections, so the Mid Tech units are often at the very start of the process of development, commercialisation and effective global supply.

That road to commercialisation may ultimately require larger scientific manufacturing facilities, which will also available at MIX MANCHESTER, providing the opportunity for the research, development and manufacturing teams to co-locate in a highly connected, collaborative environment.

These facilities will help to retain and develop the world-leading research that is undertaken at our universities and research institutes such as the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, The Henry Royce Institute, Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and NERIC. By retaining those projects within the city, we create jobs, wealth and prosperity for the region.

The flexibility of Mid Tech units allows them to accommodate a wide range of requirements – from companies with minimal investment needs to those whose fit-out costs might significantly exceed the cost of the building itself. They offer a value alternative for those that don’t need super-high specification fitted R&D labs.

The Mid Tech units will feature office space and large, adaptable production areas with 8m ceiling heights, enabling them to accommodate a range of infrastructure including cleanrooms, fume cupboards, gas cylinders, additional plant areas, significant power needs and bioreactors. To date these kinds of facilities have developed largely around Oxford and Cambridge, reflecting their suitability to knowledge intensive economies.

At MIX MANCHESTER they will be located in a first-class setting, alongside the kind of amenities typically found in thriving town centres – with hotels, cafes, gyms, nurseries and shops all nearby.

With a comprehensive public transport system and road network connected to the airport it will be a fantastic and accessible workplace – one which will see esteemed scientists working with new apprentices in an environment that attracts, nurtures and retains the very best talent in the region.

It is estimated that over 8,000 jobs will be created at MIX MANCHESTER and the development of the Mid Tech spaces will be the start of delivering that ambition for the region.

Whitbread PLC, the parent company to Premier Inn, and MIX MANCHESTER have been granted planning approval by Manchester City Council for a new 276-bedroom Premier Inn at Manchester Airport.

Located within the MIX MANCHESTER’S hotel district, just 2 minutes’ walk from the Ground Transport Interchange and 400m from Terminals 1 and 2, the new Premier Inn will be the largest in the north of England and will showcase the hotelier’s latest style bedrooms, including its popular Premier Plus rooms, and the brand’s stylish ‘The Social’ space on the ground floor.

This project comes as Manchester Airports Group reaches the final stage of its £1.3bn Terminal 2 Transformation Programme, which is due to complete later this year.

Speaking about the decision, Jill Anderson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said:

“Securing planning consent for this major hotel just five months after announcing our partnership with MIX Manchester highlights our ability to work with developers to deliver at pace. With approval now granted, we’re excited to bring this fantastic new hotel to life and provide the much-needed accommodation for the growing number of passengers using Manchester Airport.”

Gareth Jackson, Group Property Director at Manchester Airports Group, commented:

“Securing planning permission for Premier Inn’s largest hotel in the North at MIX Manchester is superb news for Whitbread, our joint venture partners and Manchester Airport. This hotel will complement the existing brand offerings at MIX and will continue the theme of delivering market leading accommodation, high-quality infrastructure and public realm to the site in support of the wider Manchester economy.”

“This new project comes at a pivotal time at Manchester Airport where our airport colleagues are in the final stages of delivery of the fantastic £1.3bn Terminal 2 Transformation Programme, which is due to complete later this year and of course our development team are working hard with our joint venture partners to bring forward MIX MANCHESTER, one of the largest science, innovation and manufacturing campuses in the UK.

“With planning now in place, further exciting announcements will be forthcoming in due course on main contractor selection with a start on site for construction of Premier Inn in late Summer.

Whitbread currently operates three Premier Inn hotels serving passengers of Manchester Airport, the newest of which opened in 2009, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests to its 20+ locations across the city every year.