Two new sites announced as NW hotels group checks in for further expansion

From left: Max Walker-Williams,David Mitchell, David Parkinson (Lloyds Bank), Craig Aikman (Vincents Solicitors)

A family-run hotelier is set to further expand its growing portfolio of boutique 5* aparthotels across the North West with support from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Preston-based Walker & Williams, which currently owns and operates two five-star aparthotels in Preston, will now develop two new sites with the support of a £1.17m development fund from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

The funding helped support the group in breaking ground on a third site in Chester this month. The business also recently achieved planning permission for an additional site in Ormskirk.

Walker & Williams initially made a name for itself in 2017 when the group launched its first 5* aparthotel project, No.10 Preston.

Following an overwhelmingly positive response, within three weeks of opening the business had already taken the decision to purchase an adjacent property and expand the site from five to 14 apartments to help meet demand.

This was soon followed up with the opening of a second site in Preston, the Winckley Square Hotel, in December 2018.

Walker & Williams most recent ventures will see the historic Ormskirk Magistrates Court become the site of a 5* bespoke aparthotel.

This will include 23 luxury apartments, a 72-cover restaurant on the site of former Court Room 1, and a cocktail bar featuring alcoved-booths in what previously were prison cells.

Meanwhile, work has already begun on transforming a 300-year-old building in Chester city centre into 19 5* apartments, with direct access to the city’s walls.

The developments form part of a significant period of growth for the business, which has also set its sights on expanding to locations in Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Harrogate in the near future.

Founder and director, Max Walker-Williams, said: “Our ultimate goal is to grow our portfolio to include 30 aparthotels within the next 10 years. While it may seem ambitious, we have a proven track record of success and continue to see an appetite for the boutique style of luxury accommodation we offer.

“Alongside the exceptional support provided to us by Lloyds Bank, the success we have achieved to date has been as a direct result of the quality service offered by the Walker & Williams team headed up by Ross Taylor and Richard Fontana, the unique and stylish décor created by my wife, Laura, and mother, Sue, and the quality renovation work carried out by my brother-in-law, Mike and his team at MD Build – it truly has been a family affair.”

Dale Parkinson, real estate relationship manager for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Walker & Williams is a prime example of a dynamic business that simply refuses to stand still.

“Thanks to the hard work and ambition of Max and his family, the firm has achieved rapid success and continues to cultivate a popular brand that will only grow with each new venture.

“We’re proud to be by the side of businesses in the North West, providing the tailored funding that companies like Walker & Williams need as part of our mission to help Britain prosper.”

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