IHG Hotels & Resorts’ midscale “conversion” brand Garner has continued its move into Europe by opening its first property in the UK.

Garner, which was only launched as a brand in 2023, has opened Garner Hotel Preston Samlesbury, which is located near junction 31 of the M6 motorway near Manchester in northwest England.

The property, formerly known as the Samlesbury Hotel, offers 80 rooms, brasserie-style restaurant, bar and shop, as well as a range of conference and meetings rooms.

The arrival in the UK of IHG’s latest brand comes after Garner made its European debut by opening three properties in Germany in late 2024.

Joanna Kurowska, IHG’s VP and managing director, UK & Ireland, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Garner hotels to the UK and Ireland, IHG’s largest market in Europe. Its arrival sees us strengthen our midscale portfolio further by bringing a new brand to the market to join our growing Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands.”

Garner currently has nearly 120 properties worldwide which are either already open or in the “pipeline”. This includes 56 hotels which are due to open in northern Europe, as well as forthcoming locations in Italy and Turkey.