Old factory flattened for £6m Stourbridge Premier Inn
A former factory has been flattened to make way for a £6 million hotel and restaurant aimed at boosting tourism in Stourbridge.
Demolition work is taking place at the former Cox Hire premises in Birmingham Street.
Buildings on the four-acre site, which was used for many years by the firm before it relocated to Netherton, have been reduced to rubble.
Contractors from DSM Demolition, which recently pulled down the Bell Street multi-storey car park to make way for the new Tesco supermarket, have been working on site.
Once it has been cleared, construction work will start on the 80-bedroom Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre restaurant. It is due to be completed by spring 2014.
The scheme is a joint venture between Barberry Developments, Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants and Cox Hire Ltd.
Barberry managing director Jon Bellfield said the site was an ideal location for a scheme of this kind. "It is well-positioned for people to explore the Black Country and the surrounding countryside," he said.
"The scheme will create new jobs, attract additional visitors and help to support existing businesses in the area."
Spokesman for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants John Bates said: "The new hotel in Stourbridge complements others we are soon to open in nearby areas, including Dudley.
"The aim of this development and the others is to strengthen the visitor and employment economy of the region.
"We are looking forward to opening our doors to customers in spring 2014."
Dudley Council granted permission for the hotel, which will be built in an L-shape at a height of four-storeys, earlier this year.
Talks are currently taking place with potential drive-through operators for the site.
Around 100 residents and businesses were consulted on the hotel plans for the hotel when they were first announced in December last year,
Chairman of Stourbridge Township Council Margaret Scott backed the proposals saying it would bring a welcome boost to the town and help to make Birmingham Street more attractive to visitors.
Meanwhile, the developers have pledged to create 'an exciting gateway development' for the town.
On Monday, a £3.5m Premier Inn opened on the Castlegate Business Park, creating 22 new jobs.
The development includes a ground-floor restaurant.
