Five hotels earmarked for Mansfield - but will they all get built?

“Mansfield stands out as a large town with very little hotel provision”.
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These were the words of consultants tasked with examining visitor accommodation across Nottinghamshire in 2017.

But now, just more than two years later, one hotel is months from opening, two more have planning permission and developers are actively looking for a tenant for another – although there are fears not all will come to fruition.

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The D2N2 local enterprise partnership commissioned hotel development consultancy Hotel Solutions for its 2017 visitor accommodation strategy.

Work is progressing on the new Travelodge in Mansfield.Work is progressing on the new Travelodge in Mansfield.
Work is progressing on the new Travelodge in Mansfield.

As well is identifying that “Mansfield stands out as a large town with very little hotel provision”, it said “hotels in the Mansfield/Ashfield A38 Corridor are currently achieving very high occupancies from Monday to Saturday and consistently fill and turn away significant business throughout the week and at weekends”.

The report said: “Business park development will generate new corporate demand for hotel accommodation as new occupiers are attracted.

“Construction activity will boost hotel demand from the contractors market.

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“Population growth will result in increased weekend demand for hotel accommodation from the visiting friends and relations market and people attending weddings and other family occasions.”

Four hotel sites have been identified in Mansfield - 1, Travelodge, Gilcroft Street; 2, Hampton by Hilton, Mansfield Town FC; 3, Arba Group are in discussions for the old Mansfield bus station site; and 4, Aldergate Properties are open to a hotel development on the former Courtaulds factory site, off Rosemary Street.Four hotel sites have been identified in Mansfield - 1, Travelodge, Gilcroft Street; 2, Hampton by Hilton, Mansfield Town FC; 3, Arba Group are in discussions for the old Mansfield bus station site; and 4, Aldergate Properties are open to a hotel development on the former Courtaulds factory site, off Rosemary Street.
Four hotel sites have been identified in Mansfield - 1, Travelodge, Gilcroft Street; 2, Hampton by Hilton, Mansfield Town FC; 3, Arba Group are in discussions for the old Mansfield bus station site; and 4, Aldergate Properties are open to a hotel development on the former Courtaulds factory site, off Rosemary Street.

As well as identifying a number of potential hotel sites – Berry Hill was mentioned, while Castlewood Business Park and Summit Park, both just over the border in Ashfield, were described as “strong” locations for a hotel – the report said Hilton Garden Inn was interested in a three-star hotel in Mansfield, Hampton by Hilton was interested in a budget boutique hotel for the town, while budget hotel chains were also interested in the town.

It also highlighted Ransom Wood Business Park, saying: “A hotel site is currently being marketed here. In which there is understood to be live budget hotel interest.”

The report said: “There is clear potential for budget hotel development in Mansfield and Sutton and scope, possibly, for an upper-tier budget or three-star hotel on one of the major business parks being developed here.

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“There is a clear shortage of hotel accommodation in this location both during the week and at weekends.

A Travelodge is being built on the site of the old Gala Bingo Hall, Mansfield.A Travelodge is being built on the site of the old Gala Bingo Hall, Mansfield.
A Travelodge is being built on the site of the old Gala Bingo Hall, Mansfield.

“The business parks that are being developed here and population growth will drive further growth in hotel demand.

“A budget hotel in Mansfeld town centre should be a priority to support town centre regeneration.

Now, less than three years later, budget hotelier Travelodge is building the town’s first chain hotel – and hoping to open in autumn – while Hampton by Hilton has identified a site at Mansfield Town’s One Call Stadium.

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Planning permission has been granted for a hotel on the former Courtaulds knitwear factory site, next to Mansfield bus station, while the Arba group is looking to build a hotel on the adjacent old bus station site.

An artist's impression of how the Travelodge will look upon completion.An artist's impression of how the Travelodge will look upon completion.
An artist's impression of how the Travelodge will look upon completion.

Andy Abrahams, Mansfield mayor, said: “Improving the visitor economy is an important part of the council’s ambitious growth agenda, which aims to make Mansfield a thriving place for investment and opportunity.“Having more places to stay will not only service local demand for business-related travel, it will also give the town an opportunity to make the most of our proximity to Sherwood Forest and the range of heritage sites in and around north Nottinghamshire.

“It is hoped hotel accommodation, alongside our wider regeneration plans, will help attract further private sector investment and encourage visitors from outside the district to spend more time and money enjoying our cafes, restaurants, and cultural and leisure attractions.”

Nikki Rolls, chief executive at Mansfield business improvement district, said: "The development of hotels highlights that Mansfield is a destination place and offers something for everyone.

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"A hotel also provides a missing link between retail and leisure, and the night-time economy. For example, you could enjoy your shopping, visit the theatre and stay overnight.

"The developments also demonstrate a confidence in Mansfield, and could herald a new chapter in the town's story.

“When hotels are developed, they are often a catalyst for further regeneration.

A Hampton by Hilton hotel is planned for the corner of the Ian Greaves and Quarry Lane stands at Mansfield Town's One Call Stadium.A Hampton by Hilton hotel is planned for the corner of the Ian Greaves and Quarry Lane stands at Mansfield Town's One Call Stadium.
A Hampton by Hilton hotel is planned for the corner of the Ian Greaves and Quarry Lane stands at Mansfield Town's One Call Stadium.

“And with the potential pots of money that could be used in Mansfield, it certainly has a very positive future."

TRAVELODGE

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Building work is progressing on a new Travelodge hotel on the site of the old Gala Bingo hall, Gilcroft Street, on the corner of Albert Street and St Peter’s Way.

And bosses at Travelodge are hoping the 63-room hotel, which is creating about 15 jobs, will open in autumn.

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman said: “The local economy is growing at pace and with increasing visitor numbers to the area; there is a shortage of good quality and great value accommodation to meet customer demand. Therefore, there is a need for a Travelodge in the heart of Mansfield.

“This is great news for the local economy as our research shows annually our customers will spend on average double their room rate with local businesses during their stay.

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“This can equate to an annual boost of £2 million for the local economy.”

MANSFIELD TOWN FC

The Stags were granted planning permission for a 100-bedroom hotel at the club’s One Call Stadium, off Quarry Lane, at the corner of the stadium’s Ian Greaves and Quarry Lane stands, in July 2018.

Plans for the multi-million-pound hotel, to be operated by Hampton by Hilton, include a bar and viewing platform which looks out onto the football pitch.

It is expected to create at least 25 jobs new jobs, including 17 full-time and eight part-time jobs.

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However, work is yet to start, with John Radford, Stags chairman, hinting last summer that work may not start until the side had won promotion from League Two.

Talking about the hotel and plans to redevelop the Bishop Street side of the stadium, he said: “Our ambitions at the moment and my resources are being put into getting promotion. Then, once we’ve got promoted, the stand will be done and the hotel will be done.

“The hotel might start a little earlier, but we’re going to wait until we’re in League One for the stand.”

OLD BUS STATIONMansfield District Council has agreed to sell the site of the old Mansfield bus station, off Rosemary Street and Stockwell Gate North, to the Arba Group, for redevelopment.

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Initial Arba plans are for an 80-bedroom hotel with roof terrace, restaurant, café, bar and gym, as well as a piazza and open space.

Negotiations are ongoing between Arba, the council, national hotel chains, and food and drinks operators to bring the plans to fruition.

An Arba spokesman said: "Arba is working with potential occupiers to work up the final proposals for a planning application. Further details will be provided once this application is finalised.”

Richard Burns, Arba managing director, said at the time of the deal: “Mansfield is a perfect location for this type of development.

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“It is surrounded by a number of hugely popular tourist destinations and we need to be making sure that when people come to this area, their hotel stay is in Mansfield.”

COURTAULDS FACTORY SITE

Plans have been approved to redevelop the site of a former factory in the town centre.

The proposals, by Aldergate Projects, include “leisure and retail premises” with the potential to “provide a hotel” on land off Belvedere Street.

Situated next to the bus station, the site is currently being used as a car park and was previously home to the Courtaulds Factory before its closure in 2000.

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However, Peter Walster, director of Ambergate, said a hotel was unlikely.

He said: “The site is allocated in the Local Plan and it’s got planning consent.

“We still hope to do a scheme on it.

“We wating for occupiers and then we can start building – we’re looking for tenants.

“There is approval for a hotel, or any other use for what people want to use it for. At the moment, the market is bad and we cant get any tenants.

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“I can’t say if its going to have a hotel or not. However, I doubt there will be a hotel for two reasons – one, because the Travelodge is being built and two, because Arba are trying to put one on a site next door. I feel it’s unlikely that Mansfield needs two hotels,so the chance of a third is remote.”

RANSOM WOOD BUSINESS PARK

Charles Cannon, director of Ransomwood Estates, which runs the business park, said: “We are considering Hotel and pod-B&B accommodation on our site, neither being dependent on the other.

“However, due to the sudden influx of proposed hotel sites in Mansfield and their type, we are not rushing and want to look at something with a signature, that fits with and respects our location, without being ‘expensive’ or ‘budget’.

“We currently think we will be moving some of this forward within two years.

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“We feel strongly that Mansfield does need more varied accommodation for business, tourists and local groups wanting somewhere nice to stay.

“The key to getting money spent here is to get those visiting to stay on our doorstep, rather than Nottingham.”