Premier Inn Expands in Cork with Second Hotel Following Planning Approval

Confidence in Cork’s tourism and business travel market has been reinforced following confirmation that Premier Inn has secured planning permission for a second hotel development in Cork, marking another major investment in the city’s hospitality sector.

The new hotel, to be located east of Cork City Centre, will add 174 additional bedrooms, supporting rising demand from both leisure visitors and business travellers. The development forms part of Premier Inn owner Whitbread’s wider strategy to expand its footprint across key Irish cities.

The decision to proceed with a second Cork location reflects strong performance at Premier Inn’s existing Cork hotel and growing confidence in the city’s long-term economic prospects. Cork continues to benefit from increased international connectivity, a strong multinational business base, and year-round visitor demand driven by events, education, and inward investment.

Premier Inn has highlighted Cork’s balanced mix of tourism, corporate travel, and regional accessibility as a key factor behind the expansion. The additional hotel capacity is expected to support not only visitors but also local businesses, conferences, and events that rely on affordable, high-quality accommodation.

Details of the project were confirmed following the granting of planning permission, with Whitbread stating that regional cities like Cork play a central role in the brand’s Irish growth strategy. The company sees Cork as a cornerstone location outside Dublin, capable of sustaining multiple large-scale hospitality investments.

Further information on the project is available through Whitbread’s official announcement on Premier Inn’s regional growth in Ireland, outlining the scale of the Cork development and the company’s long-term commitment to the Irish market:

https://www.whitbread.co.uk/premier-inn-signals-more-regional-growth-in-ireland-following-the-granting-of-planning-permission-for-its-second-cork-hotel/

The expansion is expected to generate construction-phase employment and ongoing operational roles once the hotel opens, while also increasing footfall across the surrounding area.

With continued investment from international hospitality brands like Premier Inn, Cork is strengthening its position as a year-round destination for tourism, business travel, and commercial activity, underpinned by confidence from global operators willing to commit long-term capital to the city.