Improved hotel plans score a hat-trick with Stags fans

A consultation on Tuesday, February 6, saw politicians, members of the public and football fans alike take a look at the new updated plans for the hotel on Quarry Lane, Mansfield.

The multi-million-pound hotel, which is looking to be operated by an international hotel brand, looks to have a hundred rooms and a bar which looks out onto the football pitch.

Club owner John Radford said the exhibition, which was held at the One Call Stadium, showed off the plans ‘very well’.

He said: “I haven’t heard any negative comments while I have been here and unless we get really bad feedback we’ll look to submit the plans by the end of the month.

“A lot of businesses have been in and have said they are desperate for a hotel to hold conferences at.”

Mr Radford also said that the building of the hotel, which is set to take 18 months to complete, will not ‘inconvenience’ training at the club as they will use the new training ground on Woburn Lane, Pleasley.

Carolyn Radford, chief executive at the club, said: “We want to get it up and built.”

It is planned for the hotel to be the same height as the Ian Greaves stand, the largest stand at the stadium.

Tony Clark, commercial director at hotel development specialists Zeal Projects, who are working on the project, said one possible feature of the hotel is executive boxes which can transform into bedrooms on the second floor.

The rooms are estimated to be 21 quare-metres in size.

The hotel will fit between the Ian Greaves stand and the Quarry Lane End.

Mr Clark, who spoke to members of the public about the project, said: “We have a good chance of getting planning permission. Fans have been really supportive of the idea. It is the right location for it and it integrates well together with the stadium.

“There are plans for a hundred room hotel with a new club shop and ticket office area.”

Mr Clark estimated work will start in 2020. Club bosses will be meeting the Safety Advisory Group, which supports safety at football grounds, on February 15.

Fan Chris Marriott, 52, from Forest Town, said: “It is looking good, under the previous owner everything stagnated but Mr Radford plans to progress the football club to a new level.

“It is exciting as the town lacks these facilities.”

Another Stags fan Jim Wilkinson, 68, from Sutton, who has been going to the club since he was 10-years-old, was at the exhibition.

He said: “It is superb, I think it will put Mansfield on the map.

“What I have seen at the exhibition is beyond my expectations. I didn’t expect a hotel at the stadium and I am very pleased.”