Fans back Stags hotel plan

Fans have backed Mansfield Town’s plans after the club revealed proposals to build a Hampton by Hilton hotel at the club’s One Call Stadium.

Supporters spoke out after the club revealed the plans and the alliance with the global hotel brand at a consultation event at the stadium.

Posting onto the club’s Facebook page one fan Trevor Howis said: “That’s cracking, keep up the good work.”

Colin Parry said the news was “excellent”.

And Andrew Clements said: “It’s a fantastic thing to happen for the Stags.”

Hilton declined to comment on the scheme, but a club spokesman said: “Mansfield Town unveiled plans for a new Hampton by Hilton Hotel at One Call Stadium, injecting a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation around the town of Mansfield.”

Most Hampton hotels are independently owned and operated by franchisees, though a few are owned or managed by Hilton.

There are plans to have a gym, bar and restaurant, as well as two large areas which may be used for retail purposes in the hotel.

There will be a view of the pitch at the stadium from some rooms in the hotel.

Carolyn Radford, Stags chief executive, said: “Everybody’s enthusiastic about this project.

“We have a fantastic brand, the best builders, architects and constructors we can find.

“It will be of real quality. It will be a unique destination for Mansfield.”

The plans are set to be submitted to Mansfield District Council, the local planning authority, for permission by the end of the month.

Stags bosses are hoping the hotel could open in 2020.

John Radford club chairman said: “Everything has been so positive.

“We’ve had no objections to these plans.

“I want to build a hotel of this calibre at the oldest professional football ground in the world for the good of the club and the town.”