Row rumbles on over riverside hotel

PUB bosses have criticised councillors for throwing out a scheme for a new hotel and restaurant saying they were “confused, frustrated and disappointed”.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Oct 2012, 07:00 BST

Whitbread had wanted to build a new Brewers Fayre and Premier Inn at Rotherham’s Phoenix Riverside on the edge of the town centre, but its scheme was refused last Thursday.

Planners said they wanted the company to find a site closer to the town centre for the project, and said the Phoenix Riverside area was an industrial, rather than a leisure location.

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Yesterday, Mark Anderson, Whitbread’s commercial and property director said the council’s position meant the company had thrown away two years hard work which would have lefd to 60 new jobs.

He added the company wanted to invest £60m said: “I am not sure how I would explain the decision to people if I were a councillor.”

However, town MP Denis MacShane supported the council, and said: “I believe Whitbread should work constructively with Rotherham town planners. We need more town centre hotel and restaurant developments not hotels planted on industrial sites disconnected from shops and activities.”

Related topics:RotherhamPremier Inn