The Medlock opens its doors at Medlock Square in East Manchester

East Manchester has a new place to stay. The Medlock, a Radisson Blu Hotel, officially opened its doors on 7 September 2026 at Medlock Square, the growing entertainment destination just steps from the Etihad Stadium and Co-op Live.

The 401-room hotel was developed in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group and is operated by Valor Hospitality Partners. It takes its name from the River Medlock, which flows beneath the Etihad Campus, and it is the first chapter in the wider story of Medlock Square.

Its design looks back as well as forward. The interiors balance Manchester's industrial heritage with natural, biophilic touches, paying homage to the 19th-century gasworks, green spaces and waterways that once defined the site. In the lobby, an overhead digital reflective feature has lighting that syncs with match days and event nights at the stadium and arena next door.

Music runs through the rooms. Soft tones, warm timber and tactile upholstery set a calm mood, while rug patterns take their cue from retro audio equipment and bathroom tiles recall the acoustic walls of a recording studio. Every room has a GRIND coffee machine, bespoke artwork by local artists Paul Crudgington, James Cochrane and Steve Longbottom, and a playful local touch in the form of Vimto bonbons.

Deluxe rooms come with yoga mats, and all rooms feature signature Medlock mattresses created with Silentnight. Rates start from £120, and there are family-friendly layouts too. At the top of the building, a two-storey Penthouse Suite has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a private rooftop garden and views across to Co-op Live.

Food and drink are a big part of the welcome. Blend is a café by day and wine bar by night, serving GRIND speciality coffee and pastries before switching to wines and craft beers. Three Rivers Brasserie and Bar is an all-day restaurant focused on British produce, with dishes including Lancashire hotpot and a Manchester tart reimagined as a panna cotta.

The kitchen is overseen by Medlock Square Development Chef and MasterChef winner Dan Merriman, while award-winning cocktail creative Cressida Lawlor heads up the bars. Guests can also use a 24-hour Technogym fitness centre with virtual personal training.

General Manager Richard Pearson said the team had created "a hotel that feels uniquely Manchester, right at the heart of one of the UK's most exciting destinations." He added that the aim was for The Medlock to be "the place where every Manchester experience begins with a brilliant welcome."

Whether the plan is a match, a gig at Co-op Live or a weekend exploring the city, rooms and availability can be checked on the Medlock Square website.