As Travelodge continues its expansion across the Midlands, national property and construction consultancy Wakemans has completed work on the budget hotel chain’s latest development in Solihull. Wakemans acted as tenant’s agent on the £10million Solihull Travelodge, which has 82 rooms including SuperRooms, an on-site restaurant called the Bar Café and
Unite Students, the UK’s leading manager and developer of student accommodation, has been granted a planning approval to develop a 928-bed student accommodation development in Leeds. The site, located on Merrion Way in the city centre, is close to both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. The site would
As Travelodge continues its expansion across the Midlands, national property and construction consultancy Wakemans has completed work on the budget hotel chain’s latest development in Solihull. Wakemans acted as tenant’s agent on the £10million Solihull Travelodge, which has 82 rooms including SuperRooms, an on-site restaurant called the Bar Café and free car parking. The new Solihull hotel joins the Birmingham Central Bull Ring Travelodge in offering SuperRooms, the company’s increasingly popular room designed around the ‘premium economy’ concept familiar to airline users. This new class of room is the first of its kind in the UK budget hotel market and enhances the comfort factor for business and leisure customers who want the extra choice of a more premium room. In a central location, the Solihull Travelodge is a few minutes’ walk from the railway station and close to local amenities, including two shopping centres and a cinema as well as bars and restaurants. It is also a short drive from Birmingham Airport. Wakemans Divisional Director Nigel Himpson said: “We’re delighted to support Travelodge in implementing its strategic growth plans in the West Midlands. As the region’s economy grows and Solihull, in particular, benefits from rising visitor numbers, this new hotel meets the need for good quality, affordable accommodation.” Travelodge operates 25 hotels across the West Midlands and Wakemans also played a key role in the development of its Dudley Town Centre, West Bromwich and Walsall properties.
Unite Students, the UK’s leading manager and developer of student accommodation, has been granted a planning approval to develop a 928-bed student accommodation development in Leeds. The site, located on Merrion Way in the city centre, is close to both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. The site would increase Unite’s Leeds portfolio to 4,376 beds, serving a student population of 58,000, and further enhancing Unite’s operating efficiency in the city. In the last five years, Unite’s occupancy in the city has been 99% with over 1,800 beds subject to nominations agreements with Leeds universities. The development will generate a development yield in line with our target returns and will be funded from internally generated sources. It is expected to be open for the 2020 academic year. The transaction reflects Unite’s strategy of aligning its property portfolio with high-ranking universities where student numbers are growing whilst underpinning further earnings growth. Nick Hayes, Group Property Director, Unite Students said: “Leeds is a strong performing market, with a diverse and growing student population. With two high quality Universities, we expect demand for quality, affordable student accommodation to grow and this development will help to fulfil that need.”
