Hilton is to manage a new hotel in Reading when is opens in 2008, following a deal with investment group PRUPIM.

The hotel will have 198 guest rooms and conference rooms as well as a ballroom and a LivingWell health club with a swimming pool. Construction will begin in November this year.

The hotel will be part of a sustainable, mixed-use scheme called Reading Southside, which will be developed on 110 acres of land near to the Madejski Stadium in south west Reading.

Howard Friedman, Hilton’s area president for the UK and Ireland, said: “Reading is an important business centre in south east England and we look forward to being part of this thriving business community.”

The government recently approved funding for major works to improve funding on Junction 11 of the M4, the gateway to Reading while the Department for Transport has also recently given the go-ahead for a railway station at nearby Green Park.

PRUPIM is one of the largest real estate managers in the UK, with more than £17.2bn invested within Britain and overseas. Details: www.southsidereading.com