Chinese tourists have in their sights
CHINESE tourists could soon be flocking to Eccles.
Planning permission is being sought to convert a huge 1970s office block in the town centre into a hotel for holidaymakers from the Far East.
The Salford town’s central location and excellent transport links mean it’s been identified as the ‘ideal primary base’ for Chinese visitors touring the UK.
Sentinel House, in Peel Street, was bought by Chinese investor Dr Mingliang Chen in 2013 for £2.8m.
Dr Chen, who owns the holiday company Omega Travel, was originally granted permission to convert part of the 14-storey building into a 132-bed hotel in 2014.
But because work didn’t start within three years the businessman is now having to reapply - and he hopes to increase the number of rooms to 168.
A first-floor bar and second floor restaurant could also be built in the block, which has been virtually empty since Salford University, who used it as a training centre for nurses, moved out in 2006.
If approved the hotel is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
The rest of Sentinel House will remain as offices.
Documents submitted with the application state Omega Travel, which owns 55, 80 seater coaches, can accommodate up to 4,400 tourists ‘at any one time.’
The documents add: “His (Dr Chen’s) primary business is to bring Chinese tourists to England and then coach them to the tourist attractions in London and Scotland.
“The proposed hotel in Side ‘B’ is seen as an ideal primary base for tourists to travel either north or south, after flying in to Manchester Airport. They would use the proposed hotel as their arrival and departure point for their expeditions.
“Eccles is seen as a half-way point between London and Scotland. Salford and Manchester attractions would also benefit greatly.” The Chinese tourism market is booming.
And with direct flights from Manchester to Beijing and Hong Kong our region is perfectly placed to take advantage. According to Visit Britain last year almost 340,000 Chinese tourists visited the UK - up by nearly a third on 2016 and - it’s estimated they spent nearly £700m.
A decision on the application could be made in the next few months. Salford and Manchester attractions would also benefit greatly