Jobs boost with flagship hotel plans
An Australian hotel group could establish its first European site in Birmingham if plans for a 300-bed hotel are accepted by councillors next week. Birmingham City Council's planning committee will vote on the Broad Street plans, which are set to create 170 jobs, on Thursday (12 January).
Sydney-based hotel management company StayWell Group is looking at Auchinleck House on Broad Street to launch its first European hotel, said council officers, who are recommending the scheme for approval.
Proposals for the site, which is currently vacant office space, include a 300-bedroom hotel with restaurant, meeting rooms and fitness suite.
The ground floor of the block comprises retail outlets while the tower element houses office accommodation.
Fifty part-time and 120 full-time jobs would be created with the 102,257 sq ft development, said agent Alliance Planning, which submitted the plans.
The StayWell Group operates two hotel brands, Leisure Inn and Regis Park, across Australasia, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. It does not have a presence in Europe and "is looking for this site to be one of only nine four star hotels in the inner ring of Birmingham City", said planning officers.
The Broad Street location would be StayWell Group's flagship scheme for the UK and European market.
StayWell launched its first operation in India in August last year, with four properties initially joining its network. It currently operates about 20 hotels.
Officers are advising the scheme be approved, citing the wide mix of nearby commercial outlets including nightclubs, cinemas and retail. Officers also note that the Big City Plan identifies the Broad Street area as "a premier location" for tourism and leisure related activity, which the hotel scheme would accommodate.
"The proposal would result in the reoccupation and refurbishment of an existing vacant building within an established and sustainable location in accordance with policy," concludes the officers' report.
"The proposal should therefore be approved."
The council's planning committee will vote on the proposal on Thursday (12 December).
