Hilton Garden Inn owners say work in progress despite concern about ‘grim’ look of unfinished building

Work to complete Peterborough’s unfinished Hilton Garden Inn is still in progress despite concerns about the building’s ‘grim’ appearance.

A spokesperson for the owners of the partly-built nine storey building at Fletton Quays has confirmed that work is still continuing to finish the construction of the 160 bedroom hotel

However, the spokesperson would not comment on questions about whether the hotel was still on course to open next summer as announced when the building was sold in the summer.

She said: “Works on the hotel are still continuing.”

But Tony Wood, vice chairman of the Peterborough Civic Society, has criticised the ongoing dismal appearance of the building which occupies a prominent position on the city flagship regeneration zone, Fletton Quays.

In a social media post, Mr Wood stated: “ Just walked past the unfinished and unused Hilton Hotel next to the River Nene Bridge in Peterborough city centre.

“Looks pretty grim to me – still loads of work needed!”

The Hilton Garden Inn was sold for £2.5 million by Peterborough City Council in August to Peterborough- based Leisure & Co Hotel Ltd.

It is estimated that the last building work to take place on the hotel occurred in March 2023 before the developer was taken into administration by the council which had lent £15 million in 2017 to developers to kickstart construction.

Leaf Hospitality, which will manage the Hilton Garden Inn when it opens, say that when completed, the hotel will offer 160 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, meeting facilities, fitness amenities and a ninth-floor rooftop terrace.

It will also create 60 jobs.

Paul Blackmore, vice president, development, UK & Ireland, Hilton, has previously said: “We’re excited to see Hilton Garden Inn Peterborough moving forward and to reaffirm our commitment to this important project.

"The hotel has the potential to play a key role in bringing new visitors, jobs and energy to a prominent riverside location. We’ve long believed in the opportunity here and are pleased to see the project take this important step closer to delivery.”