120 Rotherham jobs promised at £9m Premier hotel

Whitbread has unveiled plans for an 80-bed hotel plus restaurant at the Phoenix Riverside site in Templeborough.

The firm will aim to provide a Premier Inn which—together with a new Brewer’s Fayre pub—will employ 60 people.

A further 42 posts would be created during construction and 22 more permanent positions for suppliers of connected goods and services.

Plans submitted to Rotherham Borough Council said: “Examining the visitor economy in both the region and the Rotherham area there certainly seems to be a market place for this type of development.

“Despite the recent recession, the tourism sector in the region is relatively prosperous compared to some other industries, and recent reports on the visitor economy support this proposal.

“Following a review of current supply and demand for accommodation in the area it was felt the addition of a new hotel at Rotherham could be supported.”

The company’s research suggests visitors to Rotherham bring in about £225 million a year and tourism keeps nearly 4,000 people in work.

Artist impressions show the proposed three-storey hotel and accompanying restaurant set off Sheffield Road, close to science attraction Magna.

Planning documents say: “The proposed development will make a significant contribution towards the regional and local tourism economy, both directly through site jobs and indirectly via visitor expenditure.

“In particular it is anticipated that the development would support up to 60 full time equivalent jobs, together with approximately 42 jobs which would be created during the construction.”

The report suggests that the development could welcome more than 8,000 visitors a year and reach a turnover of £1.4 million.

Consultation ends on Monday and a planning decision is expected in November.