Mollie’s Motel & Diner has arrived in Manchester, with beautiful hotel rooms plus a retro diner serving American classics.
The space has taken over five floors of the iconic Old Granada Studios down at St John’s, with interior design that celebrates the building’s history.
Mid-century modern details like dark woods, textured upholstery, and retro lamps abound in this stylish new opening for Manchester.
Soho House Design has worked on the build of Mollie’s Motel to preserve the modernist facade of Old Granada Studios and make playful nods to the building’s vibrant history.
This is particularly obvious downstairs in Studio IV, a cocktail bar with a live music stage, where vintage TVs have been inserted over the bar and guests sink into plush couches for pre-dinner drinks.
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You can already check out Mollie’s Diner, which is open now (with a decent discount for its launch – more on that below), with the Mollie’s Motel bedrooms set to launch early 2026.
The hotel rooms at Mollie’s Motel Manchester
A bunk room at Mollie’s Motel ManchesterA Mollie’s Motel suiteAnd a tub with a viewThe bedrooms are all beautifully designed
Hotel rooms at Mollie’s Manchester are incredibly reasonably priced (with 15% off that too when you book direct), with different size and spec bedrooms and suites for guests.
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There are cosy bunk rooms where up to four guests can tuck into their own bunk pods, suites that have their own Peleton room, and cosy double bedrooms with gorgeous views of the southern side of the city.
Regardless of the level (or price) of your chosen room, you’ll have the same design detailing (dark wood panelling, terrazzo and aged brass finishes), plus rainshowers, a super king bed, Dyson hairdryers, GHD straighteners and Cowshed toiletries.
Mollie’s Diner in Manchester
Mollie’s Diner is open nowBreakfast dishes at Mollie’s DinerBurgers and fried chicken at Mollie’s DinerClassic thick milkshakes
The diner space itself looks like it’s been lifted straight out of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with deep burgundy leather banquettes, counter seating, and globe pendant lights.
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It’s all been inspired by the interior of a vintage Cadillac, and has space to 110 diners plus private dining for 30.
As for food and drink, you can expect everything from waffles and French toast to huge burgers and steaks, with thick milkshakes to wash it down.
You can get 50% off food if you book Mollie’s Diner HERE.
The rest of the spaces in Mollie’s Motel & Diner, Manchester
Studio IV cocktail barStudio IV cocktail barThe library snug
As you enter this reimagined building, you’re plunged straight into its design-led vision, with couches and cosy corners everywhere.
The communal reception space has a library snug, coffee counter, and beautiful bar, but you head downstairs you’ll find the real treat – Studio IV.
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This beautiful bar is built around a magnificent central bar, with retro TV screens above it and scalloped leather bar stools surrounding it.
There’s a mid-century-era stage, too, which will host live entertainment to a crowd gathered on couches before it.
You can get 25% off signature cocktails in Studio IV if you pre-book HERE.
New proposals to transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads revealed
Emily Sergeant
New proposals which could transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads have been unveiled.
Oldham Road is one the key routes into the city centre, and sees upwards of 26,000 journeys a day via a combination of car, bike, and public transport, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), but these new plans are set to improve journey times, safer crossings, protected cycleways, better connections, and boost sustainability.
“We know that things can be better,” TfGM said in a statement unveiling the proposals this week, adding that change is needed.
In the last five years alone, there have been 36 collisions on Oldham Road between Great Ancoats Street and Queens Road, with seven serious injuries caused as a result, which is why Council believes, with a number of targeted improvements, the road can be made better for everyone.
New proposals to transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads have been revealed / Credit: TfGM
When asked during the last consultation, hundreds of locals said what they wanted buses to come more often and be more reliable, safer places to cross the road, wider pavements for walking, and better-protected cycle lanes.
As part of the unveiled plans – which are currently out for consultation too – TfGM and the Council is proposing adding more bus lanes so buses don’t get stuck in traffic, as well making bus stops nicer with better places to wait, and building more cycle lanes that are separate from cars.
Proposals also include changing traffic lights to help people cross the road, and fixing busy junctions so they’re easier and safer to cross.
Proposals are aiming to make the road safer, better-connected, and more sustainable / Credit: TfGM
“Improving everyday journeys is a priority, and the proposals for Oldham Road are central to this,” commented Alison Chew, who is TfGM’s Interim Director of Bus.
“Through the Bee Network, we’re creating a joined-up, safer and more affordable transport system for Greater Manchester, reducing congestion for everyone and connecting people with places and opportunities.
“These plans aim to make bus stops safer and easier to use, improve the speed and reliability of bus services, and provide better walking and cycling routes with upgraded crossings and footpaths.
“As Manchester city centre continues to grow, improving the way people can move easily around the city is a major driver for change. We know that things can be better.”
You can have your say on the proposals on the Council website here.
Featured Image – TfGM
Travel & Tourism
Gary Neville’s five-star hotel is expanding, with 95 new suites
Daisy Jackson
Gary Neville‘s luxury Stock Exchange Hotel is expanding in a big way, announcing today the Stock Exchange Suites.
The expansion will see 95 new suites added to the five-star hotel, taking over the building just opposite the existing hotel.
As well as the new suites, the Stock Exchange Suites will add a new food and drink offering to the city centre, plus a boutique gym and spa.
Expected to open in early 2027, it will dramatically boost the capacity of the hotel, which currently has just 40 individually designed rooms and suites.
The Stock Exchange Hotel has become the go-to accommodation for the rich and famous visiting Manchester, with Hugh Grant, Madonna, Noel Gallagher, Ed Sheeran, and Rosalia all choosing to stay here for their respective events in recent years.
The 95 room addition aims to be a ‘seamless extension of the hotel’s outstanding guest experience’ and will triple its current capacity.
Gary Neville’s five-star hotel is expanding, into Stock Exchange Suites
Stock Exchange Suites – just like the main hotel – will be designed by interior design studio Autoban, with modern luxury touches from materials to furniture.
The luxury suites will span from the first to the fourth floor of the building, with a mix of the brand’s Arthur Hope Suites, Bradshaw Suites and Norfolk Suites.
There’ll also be flexible cluster rooms to accommodate larger groups, with the option to configure different bedroom arrangements and private lounges.
Every room will include super king-sized beds and stunning en suite bathrooms.
On the ground level, there’ll be an expanded Traders Lounge, a 1000 sq ft relaxed lobby space, cafe and bar, to grab everything from morning coffee to evening cocktails.
Plans also include a boutique gym and spa, with steam and sauna rooms plus treatment rooms.
There’ll be 48 car parking spaces and new meeting rooms included in the expansion.
Winston Zahra, Co-Owner of the Stock Exchange and founder of Troo Hospitality said: “We’re delighted to share more details of what’s to come at Stock Exchange Suites at such an exciting time for the city.
“An exceptional start to the year has only strengthened our belief in the opportunity to grow. Stock Exchange Suites is a natural next step — allowing us to enhance our offer and to meet demand for hosting groups and guests from across the globe.
“This expansion reflects both our confidence in the market and our continued commitment to investing in Manchester’s world-class hospitality offering.”
Daisy Jackson -
16th December 2025 
