Whitbread Celebrates Topping Out of Premier Inn Snow Hill in the Heart of the City of London
Whitbread, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has celebrated the topping out of its new 212-bedroom hub by Premier Inn hotel at Snow Hill, a landmark development in the heart of the City of London.
Located on the site of the former Snow Hill Police Station, the hotel is a key part of Whitbread’s strategy to grow its presence in prime central London locations and supports the City of London Corporation’s ‘Destination City’ policy.
The ceremony was attended by Shravan Joshi MBE, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, who praised the hotel’s role in enhancing the Square Mile’s appeal as a vibrant seven-day-a-week destination.
Due to open in early 2026, the hotel will deliver 212 ‘compact’ hub by Premier Inn bedrooms which are designed around a striking new atrium space. The Grade II Listed frontage of the Victorian police station and heritage assets within the building have been retained to celebrate the historic character of the site.
Situated a four-minute walk from Farringdon Station and the Elizabeth Line, the hotel will offer guests exceptional access to the City’s business, cultural, and leisure offerings as well as excellent connectivity across the capital. St Paul’s Cathedral is a ten-minute walk away from the front door of the hotel.
Mark Anderson, Managing Director for Property & International at Whitbread, said:
“The topping out of our hub by Premier Inn hotel at Snow Hill marks a significant milestone in our London growth strategy. The strong demand for high-quality, affordable accommodation continues to make the capital a priority growth market for Whitbread, and the City of London, with its unique blend of business, culture, and visitor attractions, offers exceptional opportunities for expansion.
“Reaching this stage in the development of the Snow Hill hotel is a proud moment for Whitbread. The scheme shows our capability to take on complex development projects in the heart of the Square Mile, and in doing so supporting the City’s ambitions to be a thriving, seven-day-a-week destination. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to the development so far and I can’t wait to stay in what will be our flagship hotel in the Square Mile in a years’ time.”
Whitbread, which operates six Premier Inns and hub by Premier Inns in the Square Mile, sees significant growth opportunities for its brands in London. The Snow Hill site is one of three central London developments Whitbread is currently delivering, reflecting its confidence in the capital where the demand for branded, affordable hotel accommodation is strong.
In a first for Whitbread, the Snow Hill hotel will feature a permanent, free exhibition space on the history of the development site for hotel guests and passers-by, contributing to the City Corporation’s Culture Mile and Destination City initiatives.
Shravan Joshi MBE, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, said:
“The City of London is a place where history and modern life come together, and our ‘Destination City’ initiative is about making the most of that unique character. As we work to make the Square Mile a vibrant, 24/7 destination, we know that demand for places to stay is only going to grow – with more than 4,000 new hotel rooms needed to meet the needs of visitors as well as the many businesses located in the City.
“That’s why developments like Whitbread’s transformation of the former Snow Hill Police Station into a Premier Inn hotel are so important. Not only will it provide much-needed budget hotel accommodation, it also creates a long-term future for a historic site. It’s a fantastic example of how we can celebrate our past while meeting the needs of today’s modern City.
“Projects like this are key to making the City of London an even more welcoming, dynamic, and exciting destination for everyone to enjoy and I’m proud to have marked the topping out of the development with the Whitbread team.”
The City of London Corporation’s ‘Destination City’ programme is transforming the Square Mile into a world-class destination. By offering high-quality, affordable accommodation, the new hotel will support the Corporation’s ambition to attract more visitors and enhance the area’s appeal as a place to work, live, and explore.
The hub by Premier Inn at Snow Hill is due to open in early 2027 and is expected to trade under the name of hub by Premier Inn Old Bailey given the hotel’s proximity to the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales and the area’s connection to judicial and professional activities.
Ray Hutchinson OBE, Managing Director of Gilbert-Ash, Whitbread’s principal contractor, said:
“This project is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision. Transforming the former Snow Hill Police Station into a flagship hub by Premier Inn, while preserving the Grade II-listed façade, has been no small feat. But the result will be a space that honours the history of this iconic site while meeting the needs of today’s travellers to the City of London. We are proud to work with Whitbread’s development team and their professional partners, whose continued support has been invaluable throughout this build.”
