Manchester is to gain the first hotel in the UK by one of Japan’s biggest hotel groups.
Construction of the 350-room Toyoko Inn is due to start early next year, subject to planning approval.
The economy business hotel company recently opened its first properties in Europe in Frankfurt and Marseille.
Tamaki Hashimoto, project lead at Toyoko Inn, said: “Our concept of modern, Japanese-style inns located near railway stations has led to rapid growth inside Japan, and worldwide expansion.
“We are looking to expand further in Europe, building on the success of our first European hotel in Frankfurt.
“We have chosen Manchester for our first UK hotel because it is one of the UK’s flagship cities with growing visitor numbers.”
He added: “We are confident our brand will appeal to the growing number of visitors to Manchester from the Far East, as well as a more local customer base of business travellers looking for a ‘feel at home’ atmosphere.
“Our vision is to create a high quality, sustainable and responsibly-managed development that contributes positively to the vibrancy and quality of the local area.
“We are committed to recruiting all of our staff from Manchester, which is just one element of our policy to contribute to and work hand-in-hand with the local community in which our hotel belongs.”