Preston's Shankly Hotel targets opening

Owners of the £15m luxury conversion of the city’s historic old Post Office are planning to open rooms on two floors, together with the restaurant and bar.

The news comes after rumours of yet more delays to the project, which is already three years behind schedule.

Developers converting the 118-year-old Grade II Listed building have denied issues with a rooftop extension have caused a further setback for the contractors.

“There have been no delays. It’s on track,” a spokesman for Signature Living, told the Post.

The company, which bought the building from Preston Council in 2016, is creating a 65-room hotel with luxurious facilities overlooking the Flag Market.

The conversion began in 2017, but has been beset by delays ever since. In 2019 uncertainty around Brexit and additional issues relating to asbestos found within the building, were followed by a temporary cessation of work in 2020 because of the impact of the Covid pandemic. Work began again in June with a 7,000 sq ft roof extension added.

In January this year owner Lawrence Kenwright visited the site and said: “I am so pleased with the progress of the renovation.

“Not only is this is a very challenging project, but also 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.”

The hotel is named after former PNE player and Liverpool manager Bill Shankly. He spent 16 years playing at PNE before becoming a manager.

But he is best-known in football for his time at Liverpool where he earned promotion to the top flight and won three league titles and the UEFA Cup.