Hotel and leisure scheme to transform derelict site
Plans for a hotel and leisure scheme in Walsall have been announced after developer Cordwell Leisure confirmed deals with two major brands.
McDonald’s and Travelodge have committed to the Wisemore Central scheme in Walsall, which would employ more than 100 people once completed.
Cordwell Leisure want to take the derelict site opposite the Tesco Extra store in the town centre and create a mixed-use scheme.
It will have a 60-bed Travelodge Hotel with ground floor restaurant, a McDonald’s Drive-Thru, Explore Learning, a top class extra tuition education facility and another shop or food and drink outlet.
Tom Wilcox of Cordwell said: “The high profile nature of the site, has continued to attract more brand names to the town which has seen vast improvements along the Littleton Street corridor with the new College, Business and Sports hub, Jhoots HQ, Walsall Housing Group and Tesco.
“All of these have helped to rejuvenate this important quarter and our scheme introducing a different leisure-based offer will only improve the area increasing business tourism spend in the town.”
The new scheme will create in excess of 100 employment opportunities once completed. Planning permission will be submitted in the next few weeks and, if successful, work could commence after the summer.
Simon Neilson, executive director for the economy and environment at Walsall Council, said: “The development, if approved, would make a fantastic addition to the ring road corridor – creating jobs and offering further choice in the town centre for shoppers and visitors alike.
“It is very encouraging that the momentum of regeneration in Walsall is continuing with such investment complementing that already seen in the town centre and waterfront.”
Tony O’Brien, UK development director for Travelodge Hotels, added: “Walsall was an obvious choice for our expansion in order to provide good quality, great value hotel accommodation and the new Travelodge will provide this in a great location.”
The scheme is being brought forward with Wright Silverwood acting as agents, Corstophine and Wright as scheme architect, Nolan Associates as Engineers, Rose as project manager and RPS Birmingham as QS.
