Hotel takes shape near Gailey island with doors to open in July
Work to build a 38-bedroom hotel next to a busy pub and restaurant is progressing well – with the site set to be open by July.
Pub company Marston's bid to see part of the Spread Eagle site on the Gailey roundabout become 'lodge-style' accommodation was recommended for approval by officers at South Staffordshire Council, because of the need for hotel beds in the area, last November.
As the structure of the hotel takes shape, bosses have confirmed that it will open at the end of July this year, marking the company's 19th 'lodge' in the UK.
The developer has previously said that visitors to nearby tourist attractions such as Rodbaston Animal Centre, Moseley Old Hall, Chillington Hall and Weston Hall might choose to stay overnight, instead of a day trip, if accommodation was available nearby.
Staffordshire has just 16,500 bed spaces compared with 39,000 in Derbyshire and 23,000 in Shropshire.
The Spread Eagle itself has just undergone an extensive six-figure refurbishment and re-opened on March 20 after a three-week closure.
Benjamin Minor who runs the pub with his partner Jennifer Ling said: "The pub is looking great and it's really exciting to start the next chapter here at Spread Eagle.
"The site is also currently undergoing the construction of a 38-bedroom lodge which will sit adjacent to the Spread Eagle."
South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson previously welcomed the development, saying it would provide a boost for the area as long as it was built 'to the highest quality'.
Concerns were raised about the site being built on green belt land.
The area has many important Roman remains and an archaeological investigation of the spot had to be undertaken as a condition of permission being granted before work can begin.
