Southwater Event Group, the owner of The International Centre in Telford, is a step closer to transforming the venue site into an entertainment and cultural quarter after eight restaurant and hotel brands signed up to its regeneration scheme.
Southwater, together with Telford and Wrekin Council are embarking on a £250m, 10 to 15 year masterplan to transform the events venue and surrounding area into the commercial and residential heart of Telford.
The plan is designed to provide exhibition and conference attendees with complementary facilities and attractions and includes a new retail district, bars, leisure centre, additional hotels, a learning and media centre, 11-screen cinema, ice rink, tenpin bowling, council buildings and a regenerated surrounding landscape.
Eight brands have now signed up to take the surrounding buildings alongside cinema operator Cineworld: Bella Italia, Chimichanga, Harvester, Nando’s, Premier Inn, Pizza Express, Wagamama and Zizzi.
Work is set to start on the site in the summer and be completed by the end of 2013. This next phase of development follows the launch of The International Centre’s new Ludlow Suite last year, offering an additional 1,000sqm to event organisers.
Southwater Chief Executive Tom Gray said the new entertainment and leisure mix is vital to the convention quarter and will improve the town’s night-time economy.
“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,” he said.
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