Westgate rail station: Construction of 120-bed hotel at derelict former station could start next year

Building work on a hotel on the former site of Wakefield’s main railway station could get underway next year.
By Tony Gardner
Published 18th Mar 2024, 16:38 GMT

Wakefield Council bought the old Westgate station in April last year as part of major city centre regeneration plans.

The derelict site is expected to be transformed to include a 120-bed hotel.

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The scheme also includes building “high quality” offices at Pemberton House which also occupies the land.

The old Wakefield Westgate rail station site has been derelict for more than ten years.The old Wakefield Westgate rail station site has been derelict for more than ten years.
The old Wakefield Westgate rail station site has been derelict for more than ten years.

Mark Lynam, the council’s corporate director for regeneration and economic growth, said ground surveys have been carried out at the site.

He added: “The next stage will be to market the site to interested hotel developers.

“Construction is expected to start on site late 2025 or early 2026.”

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The council wants the development to “attract businesses back to the city centre” and “reverse the trend of out-of-town locations.”

It bought the site for nearly £600,000 following an agreement with Network Rail.

The project could create more than 700 jobs, including 130 at the hotel.

The purchase is being funded through a £24.9m government Towns Deal grant allocated in 2021.

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The award has funded other projects including the Tileyard North development and a new home for Wakefield’s library and museum.

Wakefield Civic Society have also welcomed the plans.

Society president Kevin Trickett previously said: “Wakefield suffers from not having a quality hotel in the city centre.”

The station ceased operations in 2013 when a new station on Mulberry Way was completed.

The old entrance to the station has been gated off since it was made redundant.

Related topics:WakefieldWakefield CouncilNetwork Rail

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