Following the recent success in securing a £14 million investment through the Levelling Up Fund, Melton Borough Council’s Cabinet is due to consider another sizeable investment opportunity which will support the town’s economy.
At their meeting on Wednesday 8 February, the Council’s Cabinet is due to consider a report setting out the opportunity to convert part of their Parkside offices into a new 65 bed hotel.
If the Cabinet confirm their support to the principle of the proposed redevelopment, work would then begin to formally and fully test the implications and to prepare a detailed business case over the next 12 months.
Cllr Joe Orson, leader of the Council, said: “The recent success of Levelling Up funding and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations will see millions of pounds of investment into the town centre over the next couple of years. Combining this with an increased hotel capacity in the heart of Melton Mowbray, we can attract over 28,000 additional visitors to the area each year, increasing footfall in the town and spending at local businesses and visitor attractions.”
Since the pandemic, the adoption of the Council’s hybrid working model, and the vacation of space previously occupied by Leicestershire County Council, less office space is required at the site. Therefore, the provision of a hotel on part of the site has the potential to reduce costs to the council and provide a further significant boost to local tourism and the night-time economy, whilst the Council maintains a strong and visible presence in the town.
The proposed redevelopment would see the Eastern side of the building, which includes the current reception area, civic rooms and registrars remain in its current configuration. Office space would remain available for the employees and partners on the upper floors and the ground floor would continue to be accessible to customers to visit the council and access services. Under the initial proposals the Western side of the building would be converted into a 65 bed hotel.
The council would maintain ownership of the building, leasing the space to a company who would run and manage the hotel for thousands of visitors to stay each year.
Cllr Rob Bindloss, portfolio holder for growth and regeneration, stated: “The Council is committed to investing in the town centre and boosting tourism to attract more people to spend time and money in Melton. During the consultation for the Town Centre Vision last year, residents and partners raised the issue of lack of available hotel rooms in the town to allow event organisers and coach operators to find suitable accommodation in the town centre without having to stop in Nottingham or Leicester.
“The Council is very keen to maximize the benefits this could bring to the town’s economy and so is not proposing to include café or restaurant provision with the hotel to encourage visitors to use the facilities in the town, which could see an additional £2 million each year being spent in night-time economy.”
Following the Cabinet decision, if approved, the council would undertake all the necessary financial and legal assessments, as well as a procurement exercise to identify a suitable hotel operator and develop a detailed business case.
Once concluded, the Council’s Scrutiny, Cabinet and Full Council would review the detailed proposals put forward, considering the financial implications, risks and benefits involved, before making a final decision whether to go ahead with the proposals.
