Plans for a new Hilton Hotel in Liverpool’s famous Mathew Street appear to have been abandoned. Original approval was granted in October 2024 when the city council’s planning committee signed off on an expanded 283-room hotel proposal within the Cavern Walks shopping centre.
Through a joint venture between JSM Company Group and entrepreneur Craig Greenwood, Hilton was expected to bring its Motto by Hilton brand to the city. The venue was to include a cinema room, function room and bar.
However, new documents have been lodged with Liverpool City Council planners, solely by JSM, seeking permission for internal changes to install 85 serviced apartments on the first to seventh floors. Mr Greenwood acquired Cavern Walks in a £7m joint venture with JSM in October 2022.
Two years after the initial approval, the local authority had given its blessing for the hotel plans to nearly double from the original 150-room setup. According to planning records, the file was subject to a disposal notice in February this year, meaning it was no longer held on file by the city council.
Initial plans sought to provide multi-bedded rooms ranging from six beds to one within each room, accommodating groups as well as individuals and couples. Speaking previously, Mr Greenwood, managing director of Greenwood Developments, said: “We are grateful to Liverpool City Council for their support as we progress with the development. The brand is a natural fit for the Cavern Quarter, and with its exceptional location in the heart of the action, the hotel will perfectly complement the area’s vibrant tourism scene.”
The new proposal submitted by JSM in March seeks to redevelop the site from the previously approved hotel scheme to 85 serviced apartments on the first to seventh floors, along with a gym and spa area on the mezzanine floor.
The existing lower and upper ground floors will be refurbished, continuing their use as retail units. There will be no external alterations to the property.
A design and access statement said the apartments will consist of one and two-bedroom units, “providing luxury accommodation for visitors to Liverpool city centre. Each apartment has a large open plan kitchen, living and dining area, along with spacious bedrooms and a bathroom.”
The application states: “With the increase of visitors to the city centre, new serviced apartments in this significant, lively area will be a positive impact to Liverpool’s tourism. The application supports the need for varying developments to sustain population levels and to address issues of urban density. The development can contribute to the identified regeneration programmes of the area and reduce the worsening decay of historic buildings within Liverpool city centre.”