Dudley’s regeneration plans have received a renewed boost with work starting on a new £6 million Travelodge hotel, close to one of the country’s top visitor attractions.
The 1.5-acre vacant site next to the Black Country Living Museum, once occupied by the Royal Brierley Crystal factory, will be transformed into a 78-bedroom hotel, bringing 25 full and part-time jobs when built. More than 80 jobs will be created during construction.
Leading commercial property developer and contractor Hinton Group officially launched the development in Tipton Road at an event attended by Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for planning and economic development, Hinton Group director Andy Elwell, and development director Jon Hinton.
Councillor Ahmed said the hotel would be a welcome boost to the ongoing regeneration of the town.
“Dudley Council has helped to secure millions of pounds in investment for Dudley borough over the past five years and this development is the latest move in growing our already thriving visitor economy.
“We know that people who visit Dudley town enjoy its many attractions such as Dudley Zoo, The Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal Trust and I’m confident that the new Travelodge will make it even easier to plan and enjoy visits to the area.”
The development is being forward funded by Aviva, which bought the land from Dudley MBC. When the build is complete, Aviva will grant a head lease of the property back to the local authority. From, Dudley MBC will grant a lease to Travelodge and will act as landlord at the site.
Last year saw the expansion of Hinton Group, with the debut of its contracting arm, which successfully completed an 83-bedroom Travelodge on programme at a high-traffic location in Oxford.
Hinton Group, based in Bromsgrove, is working closely with Travelodge amongst other leisure and retail occupiers, to deliver new developments at key locations across the region including recently agreed schemes in West Bromwich, Telford and Bromsgrove.
Andy Elwell said: “Due to the mining nature of the area, we have been carrying out extensive groundworks, including drilling and grouting ahead of commencing construction.
“I’m delighted to announce that construction of what is a much-needed facility for the centre of Dudley, as the town continues its regeneration, is now underway. It is in an ideal location to encourage tourists and visitors to the town’s key attractions, and provide business visitors with good quality hotel accommodation. We expect work to be completed in Q2 2017.”
Travelodge’s UK development director Tony O’Brien said: “The deal structure works extremely well for all parties. Dudley MBC receives an income stream and a hotel in a key, strategic location; Hinton Properties gets a forward funded development; Aviva gets a safe, long-term income from a top quality, local government covenant and Travelodge gets a hotel in a superb location.”
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