The Phoenix is rising!

James Winters is co-owner of popular Liverpool hotel chain The Phoenix alongside business partner Rob Edwards.

The pair launched a second site, The Phoenix Pods, at the end of 2022 following the success of The Phoenix in Kirkdale.

James recently spoke to YM Liverpool about the hotels and his big plans for 2023.

What is your background in hotels?

I started my own electrical engineering company, M-Tech, in 2009. The business was a major success, and in 2019 myself and my business partner, Rob Edwards, were made aware of an opportunity in Kirkdale, just outside the city centre.

We purchased the property, an abandoned Victorian building, and transformed it into a hotel which offers affordable luxury and great access to Everton and Liverpool football stadiums and the city centre.

What inspired you to completely transform a dilapidated building into a luxury hotel?

Rob is a structural engineer and architect by trade and he was the first to see the potential the building had. His designs were amazing and brought the property to life. With my background in electrical engineering, and our shared knowledge of construction through our business, Edwards Winters Developments, we knew we could create something beautiful in a historic area of Liverpool.

There were some difficult moments, of course, as Rob and I were learning on the job. But we finished the project ahead of schedule and were left with a building which continues to prove popular with guests and local residents on a daily basis. This is after we were forced to close the same day we opened the doors of The Phoenix because Boris Johnson announced the first lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Phoenix Hotel, Foley Street, Kirkdale.

You recently opened your second site, The Phoenix Pods, in the city centre. Can you tell us more about this project?

The Phoenix has proven so popular and we were fortunate enough to buy a new property, The Phoenix Pods, on Vauxhall Road. This is a 32-room development which will offer the same affordable luxury as our flagship site. It is really exciting to be growing into the city centre.

We are proud to be adding to the heritage of Liverpool and providing our services to millions of tourists every year. The Phoenix Pods are situated in an ideal location for all visitors to Liverpool. You can reach all parts of the city centre on foot, while having a luxury room to come home to offering first-class service.

What else do you have planned for 2023?

The world-famous Anfield Wrap has begun recording its matchday podcast from our bar at The Phoenix, while Willow Smith, musician and daughter of Hollywood legend Will Smith, booked out the entire property for her recent stay!

We feel we are doing something right. We also want to keep giving back to the community with free coffee mornings for older Kirkdale residents and a Phoenix Festival planned for during the August bank holiday. It is going to be an exciting year!

www.phoenixhotelsliverpool.co.uk

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