University owned hotel forced to close due to tough market

A hotel and conference centre which is owned by Manchester University is to close by the end of the year and turned into student accommodation.

The university has blamed the competitive market and the location of the property for the decision to close Chancellors Hotel.

The building is in Fallowfield and will become the focus point of the university’s accommodation complex.

The historic building, which has undergone extensive renovation in recent years, will be turned in accommodation with 64 rooms, a study space and a cafe.

An internal message to staff  said: “Over recent years our team at Chancellors has worked successfully to increase income and to reduce costs, and deliver a more sustainable financial model.

“However, the hotel has been operating in an increasingly competitive market in and around the city and has particular challenges due to its location.”

The university is looking to redeploy the 57 staff who currently work at the hotel.

Chancellors was used as the vice-chancellor’s residence but was converted into a hotel in 1997.

The building stands in 5.5 acres of gardens and was built in 1850 as a home for Sir Joseph Whitworth.

The house was built  by Edward Walters, who was also responsible for Manchester’s Free Trade Hall.

Th Whitworth used The Firs mainly as a social, political and business base, entertaining radicals of the age such as John Bright, Richard Cobden, William Forster and T. H. Huxley

In 2017, the grade II-listed building underwent a £4m facelift.