Major hotel brand, Travelodge, has exchanged a long-term deal with the UK’s leading town and city-centre regenerator, Muse Developments and Rotherham Council, to become the latest anchor occupier at Rotherham’s Forge Island, which will see a new 69-room hotel delivered in the heart of Rotherham town centre, as part of the area’s wider repurposing and transformation into a vibrant mixed-use destination.
Travelodge becomes the second major signing at Forge Island, following the news earlier in the year that boutique cinema operator, The Arc, had agreed to open its seventh site at the scheme. Plans being brought forward by Muse and the council include a number of food and drink outlets and a car park.
The development will be set within a stunning public square, complete with a new pedestrian bridge connecting the scheme to the wider town centre, to create a real sense of place and deliver direct benefits to the Rotherham community.
Dan Needham, development director at Muse Developments, said: “Bringing a major occupier in Travelodge to Forge Island further highlights our collective commitment with the council to create a connected, innovative and inclusive scheme that brings people back to the town centre.
“We’re working hard to drive investment and growth to benefit the Rotherham community, along with providing a range of employment opportunities too. Forge Island represents what can be done when the best of the public and private sector come together with a clear vision and we’re looking forward to bringing the scheme forward in due course.”
Tony O Brien, Travelodge UK Development Director said: “We are delighted to be opening our first hotel in Rotherham at Forge Island. This development is our 23rd local council hotel partnership. This type of partnerships is of huge benefit to local communities as it helps regenerate vacant space and supports inward investment. This often leads to further development, new job creation and increased income via business rates for the local council.
"There are no branded budget hotels in the centre of Rotherham and this hotel will help attract new visitors to the area. This is great news for the local economy as research shows, customers will spend on average double their room rate with local businesses during their stay which can equate to an annual multi-million pound boost for the Rotherham economy.”
“The Forge Island development is in a great location in the heart of the town centre, near to the railway station, the shopping centre and the AESSEAL New York stadium, home of Rotherham United. With on-site car parking and the benefit of the new cinema and restaurants, this Travelodge is ideally located for leisure and business for business and leisure travellers."
Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “It’s great news that Travelodge has signed up to be part of the Forge Island development and joined The Arc Cinema in helping to create a fantastic asset for people across the borough to make use of.
“We’re determined to create a long-term vision for the town centre and can’t wait to see people using the hotel, cinema and cafes and restaurants that will be on site in the future.
“Travelodge will be an asset to Rotherham, and I’m pleased that they have selected our town to expand their already well know and recognised brand across the country.” Following the deal with Travelodge, it is anticipated that construction will begin in 2022.