Construction of the Hilton at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton Recommences
Mar 31 2014
The new Media Centre will be ready in time for the England v India Investec Test Match, starting on 27th July.
RB Sport & Leisure Holdings PLC, the parent company of Hampshire Cricket Ltd, is pleased to confirm that a new contractor, Powells Group Ltd, has been appointed to complete the Hilton at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton and work has recommenced.
Work on the 175-bedroom hotel ceased in September 2013 when the previous contractor (Denizen) went into administration. The Club has been working intensely alongside all key stakeholders to bring together a complex series of contracts and agreements in order for a new contractor to be appointed.
Despite the delay there will be no additional cost to Eastleigh Borough Council who remain central to this exciting project.
The Hotel is now scheduled to open in spring 2015 although the Media Centre it houses will be ready in time to host written and broadcast media at the England v India Investec Test Match starting on 27th July.
Rod Bransgrove, Chairman of Hampshire Cricket said:
“Through no fault of the Club or Eastleigh Borough Council, the Hotel development encountered a major setback towards the end of last year. We have worked tirelessly alongside all the key stakeholders in this project to recommence work in the shortest time possible given the complex nature of this project. Our aim of creating a model Test Match ground and world-class destination resort is stronger than ever although the realisation of this aim will be just a little later than we had originally planned.”
Gordon Wells, Chairman of Powells Group said:
“As a Hampshire based company, we are delighted to have been awarded the contract to complete the Hilton Hotel at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton and our aim is to continue to use local tradesmen and businesses wherever possible.
“Our forte is the production of high quality commercial interiors, including hotels, retail premises, showrooms, restaurants and offices. Our additional experience of heavy construction work puts us in a perfect position to complete this project on time, on budget and to the highest possible standards as evidenced by our enviable client list including the likes of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry and many other world renowned high profile companies.”
Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council said:
“This is a very significant scheme for the Borough and it is important that we have taken the time to ensure that outstanding issues have been resolved. It’s fantastic news that work has started on finishing the Hilton Hotel so that people and businesses in the Borough can begin to enjoy the benefits of this investment”.
Funding for the completion of the Hotel is being provided by Omni Capital - one of the UK’s leading specialist providers of short and medium-term residential property funding. This means that The Co-operative Bank, who provided the early seed funding for the development, will now step back from the project.
Grahame McGirr, Managing Director of Co-operative Asset Management and Chief Risk Officer of the Co-operative Bank said:
“The Co-operative Bank has a long history of investing in local communities and working with partners to ensure sustainable funding over the longer term. We believe this project will make a significant contribution to the local community and economy. The Bank's seed funding for this project is now at an end, though we continue to support Hampshire Cricket In the Community, the Club’s official charity, as it delivers an increasing amount of local and regional community activity.”
Hotel management company, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, will operate the hotel when it opens. The global company currently has 50 hotels in the UK under franchise agreements with companies including Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group, Accor, Wyndham and Best Western.