Published:
1:43 p.m. January 19, 2022
It has been revealed that a new multi-million pound hotel planned for Norwich city center is to become a Travelodge.
The 91-bed hotel will be part of the budget hotel chain’s portfolio of 592 hotels located in the UK, Ireland and Spain.
It will be the group’s third hotel in the city center and will be located above the Tesco Express on Guildhall Hill in the former Chamberlin & Sons department store building.
The proposed hotel will stretch from Guildhall Hill, down Dove Street and along Pottergate.
– Credit: AWW
Development work is due to start in the latter part of this year, representing an investment of £8-10million in the town and will create 25 new jobs within the local community.
Travelodge Development Director Tony O’Brien said: “We are delighted to add a fourth Travelodge to our portfolio of Norwich hotels, in a prime city center location.
“The hotel will be built in a fantastic location and will be an ideal place to stay for our business and leisure guests.
“Norwich is growing rapidly, but there is a desperate need for good quality, value for money accommodation to meet the growing demand from business and leisure travelers visiting the area.
“This new development will strengthen our offering throughout the city center and ensure that we have Travelodge hotels close to all of the city’s major attractions and universities.”
The new hotel will become the fourth Travelodge in Norwich, alongside the Queens Road, Thickthorn service area and Riverside locations pictured here.
– Credit: Travelodge
Norwich City Council’s planning committee unanimously granted permission for the development in July, which will turn empty offices in the Victorian building into hotel rooms.
Mr O’Brien added: “This type of development is a win-win solution for all parties as it returns redundant space to economic use, creates new jobs and attracts new visitors to the area.”
Jonty Young, spokesman for the Norwich Lanes Association, was concerned that the new hotel and retail units would impact the Lanes’ reputation as independent businesses.
– Credit: Archant
Plans for the new hotel have drawn mixed reactions from local businesses.
The Norwich Lanes Association were concerned that this would impact the Lanes’ reputation as a beehive for independent businesses.
Speaking in February last year, spokesman Mr Young said: ‘Norwich Lanes is arguably the largest city center independent business community to be found anywhere where in the UK and it is imperative for the local economy that they stay that way.”
The Norwich Society, which campaigns for the preservation of the city’s character, supported the plans and felt the proposals covered all heritage concerns.
