Worcs have grounds for happiness

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Worcestershire will build a 120-bedroom hotel and restaurant at their New Road ground after being granted planning permission

Worcestershire have been granted planning permission to build a 120-bedroom hotel and restaurant at New Road as part of a £10million redevelopment of the ground.

The Premier Inn hotel and restaurant are part of a comprehensive upgrade of the ground, which will also include the construction of new conference and executive facilities.

The project will create more than 45 full-time jobs in the city as well as additional positions at the club.

Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale said: “In this economic climate, businesses of all types need to use their resources effectively to survive.

“We are doing that by investing in our facilities to help secure the future of the club and drive success on the pitch.

“I am delighted that local councillors support our vision, and we will now be working hard to deliver a scheme which will benefit the city and county as a whole.”

Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, is spending £7.5m on the hotel and restaurant, while Worcestershire are investing in excess of £2.5m in the new facilities.

A detailed planning application for the hotel and executive suites was submitted to Worcester City Council in December and granted without conditions last night.

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