Hilton takes on landmark hotel site

The landmark Fox Hotel in Wolverhampton is to be knocked down and replaced by a Hilton in a £15 million redevelopment, it was revealed today.

Work will start on the nine-storey 130-room hotel next spring after the Fox has been demolished.

It will transform one of the city's main entrances, creating a new modern building on the Penn Island.

The 33-bed Fox Hotel has been on the site for more than 40 years. Last year it was served with a prohibition notice by West Midlands Fire Service which banned it from having guests for a short time because of its inadequate fire alarm system

.The Hilton development was today hailed as the first phase of a major revamp of the city centre's western quarter.

It will be marketed as a Hampton by Hilton hotel, offering affordable rooms.

Wolverhampton City Council leader Neville Patten said: "I now believe the redevelopment of Wolverhampton is on a roll."

Will Evans, development director of Wolverhampton Development Company, which has had an option to buy the Fox Hotel site since June 2008 and set up the deal, said: "It was essential to have the support of an iconic brand like Hilton and we are delighted with the outcome."

Hampton by Hilton is a major brand of Hilton Worldwide that has 1,800 hotels in the US and is rolling out a UK chain.

Councillor Paddy Bradley, Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: "This is very positive news."The Hilton Hotel plan was unveiled to a packed meeting of developers and their agents in Birmingham today.

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey, who was also at the meeting said: "The local authority want to get things done and there are fabulous opportunities for anybody thinking of investing in the city."