Boost for Barry economy as work starts on one of Wales’ most sustainable hotels

Published 15 February 2012

Construction of a new sustainable 80 bed Premier Inn hotel and Brewers Fayre restaurant at the Innovation Quarter, Waterfront Barry is set to start on site from 20 February.

Local contractor Carter Lauren has been awarded the building contract by Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, and is expected to complete the development by the autumn 2012.

The new hotel and restaurant will occupy a prime position overlooking Fford Y Mileniwm and Barry’s No.1 Dock and once finished will provide high-quality budget accommodation and good value meals for business visitors and tourists. The development will regenerate around two acres of former industrial land.

Whitbread is investing £7.5m in the sustainable hotel and restaurant, creating much needed local employment and helping to support local businesses. Carter Lauren, based in Cardiff, will be recruiting employees from the local area to work on the construction of the hotel and will be sourcing building materials locally whenever possible.

It’s anticipated that around 68 jobs will be created when the hotel and restaurant opens. As a leading company in the hospitality sector, Whitbread is committed to staff training and progression and the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Welsh Government will be working closely with Whitbread to ensure as many jobs as possible are offered to residents in the surrounding areas.

The hotel and restaurant has a contemporary architectural style and been specifically designed to fit its waterfront location. On completion the building will have an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) – making it one of the greenest and most energy efficient in South Wales.

Richard Pearson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants, said:

“Our new Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre at Barry Waterfront will really kick off the regeneration of Barry Waterfront. The new hotel and restaurant is in an absolutely fantastic location – right on the waterfront – offering our guests the combination of a prime location together with the great value that they expect from Premier Inn.

“As a business we are committed to cutting our carbon emissions and our investment in Barry will create one of Wales’ greenest hotel. The building will be full of energy saving technologies and design features and we are using locally sourced building materials whenever possible to save carbon and give the building a sense of place. This is a fantastic legacy for Barry, and the 68 jobs we are creating will help support the local economy and investment in the town. The development is good news for the town and we are looking forward to getting the hotel and restaurant built and the doors open to our customers as soon as possible.”

Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Gordon Kemp, said:

“I am delighted with the start of this development and look forward to the opening of Barry Waterfront’s first hotel later this year, an important regeneration project delivered thanks to the hard work and commitment of this council, the Welsh Government and Whitbread. Successful urban regeneration is often dependent on strong public and private partnerships and this project is no exception.

“The strong working partnership between the parties started with the design process and continued with appointment of Carter Lauren. We are now working together to maximise the potential job and business opportunities, during the construction of the new hotel and restaurant and when it opens for business. I’d like to thank Whitbread for their major investment in Barry and for their positive approach to working with the Vale council and Welsh Government and their help with our endeavours to deliver the Innovation Quarter.”

Wales’ Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis said,

“As outlined in our programme for Government renewing our seaside towns and town centres is a key priority for me, and through the Barry Regeneration Area Programme we are doing just that.

“Attracting this investment from Whitbread is testament to the potential long-term growth of Barry. As well as the obvious economic boost, such as creating construction contracts and jobs, the development supports longer term economic regeneration, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector.

“We have worked closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to encourage this investment to Barry and I am delighted to be here to mark the first step in the construction phase.