S Harrison will deliver the 65 bed hotel on the three upper floors of the Swan Road frontage and is currently marketing the 8000 sq ft ground floor accommodation to restaurant and retail operators, as a single unit or subdivided.

Planning permission for the site, which will provide more car parking for Lichfield, and new affordable homes as well as the hotel and restaurants, was granted earlier this year.

S Harrison Developments Ltd director David Clancy says that Travelodge is the ideal operator for the Friary Outer scheme:

“Travelodge is a brand-leading hotel chain currently not represented in Lichfield.  The cathedral city is already an attractive tourist and business destination and the advent of our £100 million retail led mixed use Friarsgate scheme will increase visitor numbers to the city and move it significantly up the retail centre rankings increasing the demand for well-priced hotel accommodation.”

Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director for Travelodge Hotels, said:

“With its history delivering a strong tourism market and its close proximity to the motorway network ensuring a strong business presence, Lichfield is a fantastic place for at Travelodge hotel.

“I have no doubt that it will not be long before our new hotel here is one of the strongest performers in our portfolio”.

As part of Lichfield District Council’s parking strategy for the city, Friary Outer, which spans just less than two acres, will feature a new car park, increasing parking from 230 spaces to around 400 spaces. 

S Harrison has also teamed up with Bromford Group, one of the council’s preferred registered providers (RPs), to provide 60 affordable homes at Friary Outer.  Of these, 54 are designated specifically as sheltered apartments for older people, with the remaining six affordable homes available under shared ownership arrangements.   The scheme has benefited from £2.4 million funding from the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA).

An announcement regarding the appointment of a main contractor to deliver the whole Friary Outer scheme is expected shortly.  Preparatory work on the housing element has already started and construction work is likely to begin later this year.

The Friary Outer announcement by Yorkshire-based S Harrison follows the recent news that they have entered a joint venture agreement with Development Securities PLC to deliver the Friarsgate scheme in the city.

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: “Millions of people visit attractions across the district every year, and the demand for hotel bed spaces is incredibly high. We’re delighted to welcome Travelodge, as part of the Friary Outer development. It will bring more good quality, good value hotel bed spaces to the area, making Lichfield a fantastic and convenient city break.”