£10m training hotel set for approval by city chiefs

THE regeneration of the Anfield area of Liverpool is set to ramp up with council planner likely to approve plans for a 100 bedroom ‘training hotel’, a business hub and further extensive environmental improvements in Anfield Village.

The hotel, that is expected to cost up to £10m, is being proposed by Your Housing Group (YHG). It is planned for Anfield Square alongside a new business hub that amongst other things will see the relocation of YHG offices to the Anfield site which neighbours Liverpool FC’s expanded stadium and the housing regeneration schemes.

The Council will authorise the long term lease of the Anfield Square site to Your Housing following the demolition of remaining properties. The hotel will support training and employment opportunities in the hospitality industry to local young people.  

Kathy Cowell, chair of Your Housing Group, said: “This is in its very early stages, but we are very excited about the plans which our board recently approved. We have already invested heavily in Anfield and see this as underlining our strong and on-going commitment to the area.

“Subject to Cabinet approval we are looking forward to progressing with a number of key opportunities, in what will be a significant year for delivering the hotel. The wider regeneration of the housing offer within Anfield continues to be a priority for us and the wider Anfield partnership.”

The £260m regeneration of Anfield is being orchestrated by Liverpool City Council in partnership with YHG and the football club.

Cllr Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, said: “In the two and a half years that the project has been running we have made great progress with new homes and public spaces, new leisure facilities, new job and training opportunities and improvements to Stanley Park.

 “The creation of a training hotel will be a vital part of the whole vision for the Anfield area and the potential of YHG relocating their regional office  into the heart of Anfield sends a very strong message about their commitment and will bring added footfall all week and attract further activity.

 “The Anfield partners’ aim is about delivering comprehensive regeneration and considerable long-term benefits to residents and businesses and to improve the overall visitor experience. It is a physical regeneration, but it’s also very much about rebuilding communities and hope and pride, with Anfield residents very much the fourth partner in the project.”