Go-ahead for £10m Sheffield hotel
A DELAYED £10m hotel project is going ahead in Sheffield in a further sign of returning economic confidence in the city.
Contractor JF Finnegan will build the new Holiday Express Hotel which is due to open in Blonk Street in summer 2011.
Amber Hotels will run the new 161-bed hotel which will occupy a site near to its existing grade II listed Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Hotel.
The company bought the land two-and-a-half years ago but work has been delayed by planning issues, archaeological digs and the difficult economic climate.
Hermann Beck, director of Amber Hotels, said: “Having operated our existing luxury hotel in Sheffield for some time we understand the market and are confident that now is a good time to bring the market-leading limited service hotel to the city.
“The cost-effective rates offered by Holiday Inn Express Hotels fare well in the current climate and the addition of the new hotel will add to the range of accommodation we can offer within Sheffield.
“Undoubtedly the city has suffered the effects of the recession and this is evidenced by the lack of new, large-scale development getting underway. Our confidence in the success of the new hotel reflects our confidence in the city’s future and we look forward to watching our vision become a reality.”
The new Holiday Inn is the latest in a series of contracts to build hotels for Sheffield-based JF Finnegan including the Ibis Hotel on Shude Hill, in Sheffield, and the Sheffield Park Hotel.
Dawa Singh, design and build Manager at JF Finnegan, said: “The initial stages of work are now underway and the entire project is scheduled for completion in July 2011.
“Towards the end of September the tower crane will go up in preparation for the framework rising and as it stands, this will be the only crane in the city centre. With the new Smithfield footbridge connecting the site to Victoria Quays and river Don Five Weirs Walk, the hotel will play an integral part of the continued regeneration of the Sheffield Victoria Quays district.”
