A new hotel will be built close to the Royal & Derngate Theatres in Northampton.
Hotel chain Premier Inn has announced plans to build a 104 room hotel behind the Derngate Theatre in Albion Place.
The new hotel and restaurant will be developed on council-owned land and will create approximately 50 new jobs.
Richard Pearson, from Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, which owns Premier Inn, said: “A new Premier Inn hotel and restaurant is an exciting proposition for Northampton town centre.
“Our investment will create new jobs and strengthen the local economy by attracting people to stay in the heart of town.”
The new hotel will be close to the Royal & Derngate theatres and the new independent cinema which is currently under construction.
Terms for a long lease on the site have been agreed by Northampton Borough Council and a planning application for the development is expected in early 2013.
The leader of the council, Councillor David Mackintosh (Con, Rectory Farm) said: “The site is vital to help us promote Northampton’s cultural offer.
“This is yet another example of the confidence the private sector is showing in Northampton at a time when other areas of the country are struggling.
“A new hotel in the town centre will be great news for the theatres, the new cinema, shops and other nearby attractions.
“The development of Albion Place will help refresh a run-down area and build on the town centre’s vitality.”
Work should start on the development by the autumn with the hotel expected to open in autumn 2014.
As part of the development, a number of buildings in St John’s Terrace which the council has described as being ‘poor quality’ would be rdemolished.
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