Big names sign up as Southwater Event Group boost night time economy in Telford

Ambitious £250 million plans to kick-start a vibrant night time economy in Telford are gathering pace, with eight well-known restaurant and hotel brands now signed up.

Cineworld has already been announced as the operator of the new Southwater Square's 11-screen multiplex cinema.

And now eight renowned names from the hotel and catering industry have been announced as tenants for the surrounding buildings.

They include Bella Italia, Chimichanga, Harvester, Nando's, Premier Inn, Pizza Express, Wagamama and Zizzi. Work is set to start on site in the summer, with the development expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

The news has been welcomed by Tom Gray, chief executive of the Southwater Event Group, which is a joint partner in the multi-million pound development plans.

"As one of the major partners in the Southwater development, we are very pleased to be able to announce these plans to the events industry.

"The new entertainment and leisure mix is a vital component of the convention quarter and our recently-extended International Centre.

"These additional hotel bedrooms, bars and restaurants will be right on our doorstep opening up our facilities to even more event organisers, delegates and visitors."

Peter Atkinson, senior acquisitions manager for Nando's, said: "We are delighted to be opening in Telford and believe this development will be a wonderful addition to the leisure facilities for the town. The choice of restaurants will be second-to-none in the area."

Gondola will be operating two restaurants in the new leisure quarter under their Zizzi and Pizza Express brands. A spokesman said: "We are excited to be part of the regeneration of Southwater Square to provide Telford with a much-needed high quality leisure offer."

John Bates, who is head of acquisitions in the UK and Ireland for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, said: "Southwater Square is set to be transformed into a major leisure and conference centre destination in Telford, complete with a new cinema and market-leading restaurants - exactly the type of development our customers want us to be in.

"A new Premier Inn hotel will be a great addition to the scheme, helping to create the night-time economy Telford needs and delivering new jobs in the town. This is good news for Telford and we look forward to investing in the new hotel to deliver another great site for our customers."

Read more about Southwater Event Group here - click here

What's on at the International Centre Telford - click here