UK-based hospitality group and Premier Inn owner Whitbread has acquired the long leasehold interest of a Sandyford Business Park development site in Dublin, Ireland.

Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

This marks the company’s first acquisition in outer Dublin as it expands Premier Inn across the country, aiming for 3,500 Premier Inn bedrooms.

Whitbread plans to build a 150-bedroom Premier Inn hotel at 5 Arkle Road, Sandyford Business Park, D18, pending planning approval.

Next year, it intends to submit a planning application to Dublin City Council for the site, which is currently occupied by The Wall Climbing Gym.

Whitbread Ireland development manager Matt Gent said: “The Park has a lack of affordable branded hotel accommodation that Premier Inn provides, and I am confident we will trade well from the location.

“We are working with the existing occupier of the site as we bring forward a planning application for the development and I hope to be in a position to start building our first Premier Inn in Outer Dublin next year all being well.”

This latest acquisition brings the company’s total number of rooms across the country to more than 1,600 either in operation or in its secured pipeline.

The company is also seeking new locations in Limerick, Killarney, and Galway.

Earlier this month, Whitbread announced the practical completion of Premiere Inn at Morrisons Quay in Cork.

The 187-room property has been developed by Greenleaf, Warren Private, and constructed by Elliott Group.

Construction of Premier Inn Cork started in August 2021 and is anticipated to open early next year.

Whitbread also opened a 262-room Premier Inn in Dublin City Centre at North Docklands last week.

The company currently has four operational Premier Inn hotels in Dublin City Centre and near Dublin Airport in Swords.