Plans to convert the Commercial Buildings on Cross Street in central Manchester into a 290 bedroom hotel have been given the go-ahead by Manchester City Council. The new hotel we understand will be a Motel One. The Commercial Buildings are opposite the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. The 19th century façade will be retained but the rest of the building will be demolished and replaced with an eight-storey hotel with shops and a restaurant at ground level.

The Cross Street hotel will be the second Motel One in Manchester. The first, a 330-bedroom hotel, is already under construction in Whitworth Street.