Trafford Park Hotel is in line for a total transformation after the approval of an application to turn it into 15 apartments.

The applicant, Food and Tipple Ltd, applied for planning permission for the 120-year-old hotel almost three years ago.

The application to turn it into 15 apartments was a part of a two-part plan for Trafford Park Hotel. The other part of the two-part plan which was for a block of 20 apartments by the side of the Grade-II listed hotel was withdrawn.

Last Wednesday, Trafford Council approved it in spite of opposition from Trafford and Hulme Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), whose Pub Protection Officer Tim Field said it should be brought back into use with its previous use.

A report said: "The building is deteriorating and the proposal would allow for urgent repair works whilst securing a long-term use. The Heritage Development Officer is supportive of the proposal and urgent repair works.

"On the contrary, if planning permission is not granted, there is a real risk the building would deteriorate with irreversible damage to its structure and its significance. This is given substantial weight in favour of the proposal."

Trafford Park Hotel was built more than 120 years old ago for the workers of the industrial park but because of its prime position a mile from the football ground it became a firm favourite for football fans in its later years. 

It is out of use since its closure in the late 2000s and this year the conservation charity SAVE Britain's Heritage added it as well as dozens of other buildings in the area and across the country to its Buildings at Risk Register.

A number of businesses tried to bring it back into use including Ashley Hotels Ltd and Property Hub Ltd but it is Food and Tipple Ltd, a Bolton-based business with a convenience store on Tong Road, Little Lever, which is the first to be successful with the approval of planning permission.

It has two years within which to start on site after the approval of planning permission.


This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.