Member Article

Funding approved for Leeds Arena Hilton

The Leeds City Region LEP has approved £4.8 million funding for the Leeds Arena Hilton Hotel, to be developed by construction outfit GB Group and is expected to contribute £43 million to the city region’s economy.

Funding has been allocated from the LEP’s £36 million Growing Places fund and the project is expected to create over 100 long term jobs once the hotel is operational in 2015.

370 short term jobs, mostly in construction, will be created in the early development of the site.

Plans for the new Leeds Arena Hilton were first unveiled to Leeds and Partners during the 2013 Leeds City Region Investment Week at MIPIM.

The city’s inward investment organisation has been working in partnership with developer contractor GB Group, to support their plans for the new destination hotel and will continue to provide support through recruitment, apprenticeships and the hotel opening.

The two hundred and six bedroom, fourteen story hotel, situated in the heart of Leeds city centre will include a signature sky-bar with panoramic views of the city, including the new flagship Leeds Arena.

The hotel will be built and owned by GB Group Holdings but will be operated as a core brand Hilton Hotel under a franchise agreement.

Roger Marsh, chair of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise said: “This investment is fantastic news for businesses, visitors and residents within the Leeds City Region.”

“Development of a key city centre site adds to the state of the art facilities within the city and is likely to act as a catalyst to support further investment opportunities.”

“I am delighted that once again the Leeds City Region LEP is supporting vital inward investment in the region and is enabling the creation of new jobs.”

Brandon Riley, director of Hotels at GB Group, said: “I am delighted that we are now in a position to move forward with our plans for this exciting new investment.”

“The new Leeds Arena Hilton will be a premier destination for business and leisure in the city, providing a fantastic boost to the visitor economy in addition to driving regeneration and job creation.”

“’This project is a great example of how the public and private sector can work together in partnership to achieve a common goal.“

Lurene Joseph, chief executive at Leeds and Partners, said: “We are delighted with the partnership that we have formed with GB Group Holdings.

“This new project will continue further development in this part of the city and help to cement the widely recognised success of the first direct arena.

“More importantly, it will create sustainable economic growth through the creation of permanent jobs and will support the skills agenda through employment and training opportunities for young people.”

Work is due to start immediately with construction due to take place from November onwards

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .