Whitbread, the owner of UK hotel chain Premier Inn, has set a target to expand its hotel network in Ireland with an additional 5,000 bedrooms.

The company currently operates six hotels in Dublin and Cork, offering more than 1,000 bedrooms, with another 1,000 in the development pipeline.

The development team in the country has been bolstered by the appointment of Emma O’Shiel, who joins Whitbread with more than 15 years of experience in delivering building projects.

As the new project and programme manager, O’Shiel will oversee the construction of Whitbread's secured development sites in Ireland, reporting to Whitbread's development manager for Ireland Matt Gent.

O’Shiel said: “Whitbread’s flexibility as a development partner stood out when applying for the position.  The business has a long track record of delivering its hotels itself or in partnership with private and public sector developers, and I’m excited by the opportunity to put my experience working for both types of organisations into practice in Ireland.

“Whitbread’s ambitions are set high in Ireland, and I can’t wait to play a part in supporting the business to achieve its goals.”

O’Shiel's initial focus will be on three sites in Dublin and a second Premier Inn location in Cork, which will enable Gent to concentrate on acquiring new sites across the country.

In May 2024, Whitbread unveiled a revised network plan for Ireland, pinpointing new target locations for Premier Inn in Dublin City Centre and four Outer-Dublin areas. 

The company also targets 11 additional locations with leisure and business economies expected to see a rise in visitor numbers, including tourist destinations such as Killarney and Kilkenny, among others.

Earlier this month, Whitbread opened a new hotel at Paddington Station in London, the city’s first to house both Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn brands under one roof.