February 2015

Middlesbrough Councillors’ preview of Holiday Inn Express

Work is gathering pace at the £12.4m regeneration of Cook and Endeavour House on Albert Road, which will see the building transformed into the Holiday Inn Express® Middlesbrough – Centre Square.

Mark Ashall, Director of the developer Ashall Projects, and site managers welcomed Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor Councillor Dave Budd and Executive Member for Regeneration Councillor Charlie Rooney and gave them a tour of the 138-room hotel development, which is scheduled to be open for business later this year.

With views over mima art gallery and the historic central library, the development will also include 2 ground floor retail units.  These are ideally located for restaurants and cafés given their position overlooking Centre Square and their proximity to the new hotel, the Town Hall, the Cleveland Centre and the University.

Around 100 construction jobs have been created during the build, with 27 full-time equivalent jobs to be created once the hotel opens. During the visit, Councillors were able to see a model guest room, and the work that is being done to renovate and refurbish the building which had previously been vacant for over 15 years.

Mark Ashall commented: “This project is progressing well and we remain on course to open the hotel this summer. The positive support the project has received from Middlesbrough Council has been and continues to be a key factor in its success and we felt that it was important to provide the Councillors with an update and give them an opportunity to see the quality of hotel accommodation that will be available once the hotel opens.”

Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor Councillor Dave Budd added: “I am delighted that the Council has been able to create such an innovative partnership with Ashall Projects, which has secured the sort of multi-million pound investment that will benefit the town and the wider area for many years to come.

“As this important development takes shape, it is further enhancing the role of Centre Square as a focal point within the town centre, and will provide a real boost to the local economy.

“Developments like this demonstrate real confidence in the potential of the town centre, and will help to create jobs and increase Middlesbrough’s appeal as a leisure and business-friendly destination.

“Middlesbrough is changing - with vision, courage and determination we can create jobs and continue to drive our economy forward.”

The town’s Labour MP Andy McDonald said: “Middlesbrough Council and its officers richly deserve full praise.

“In the most trying of financial circumstances, they have found an innovative way to bring a multi-million pound investment into the town centre.

“This is exactly what we need in Middlesbrough: the vision, courage and determination to bring jobs, economic stimulus and the facilities to encourage people to come to our town for business and pleasure for years to come.”

Redefine|BDL Hotels, the UK’s leading hotel management company, will be responsible for the day to day running of the hotel when it opens later in the year. It currently manages 70 branded and independent properties across the UK and Africa.

Ross Morrow, chief development officer at Redefine|BDL Hotels, said: “It’s great to see this fantastic development project entering the final stages of completion and to see officials get a sneak peek at the finished product.

“We’re looking forward to creating a strong team of people who will join the Redefine|BDL Hotels portfolio and help us operate this busy 138 room property, delivering great service in the heart of Middlesbrough.”