The multi-million-pound transformation of the former Co-op department store on Elder Way in Chesterfield has been completed by Jomast Developments.
The fully accessible 92-bed hotel, which is located in the building’s upper two floors, has now been handed over to Premier Inn ahead of its opening by the hotel chain on 11 April 2019.
Occupying a pivotal site in the town centre, Elder Way is a landmark mixed-use leisure scheme, which is breathing life into the town’s famous 1930s, Mock-Tudor former Co-op.
The building was acquired by Jomast Developments in 2016 with work on the new hotel beginning last year. As part of the transformation, the building’s exterior has been restored to its former glory.
Premier Inn is the first occupier of the building and paves the way for Jomast to now transform the basement and ground floor into leisure and hospitality space.
Jomast is one of the UK’s leading property development, investment and regeneration specialists. The Chesterfield site is the company’s first development in Derbyshire.
Commenting on the handover to Premier Inn, Mark Hill, Commercial Property Director at Jomast Developments said:
“I am delighted that we have been able to preserve such an iconic building in Chesterfield. The position and location of the site at times has been challenging but our ongoing collaboration with Chesterfield Borough Council has enabled us to bring this much-loved building back into use. I am confident that Premier Inn will be a welcome addition to the town centre and the Northern Gateway Scheme.”
Marie Dukes-Brown, New Openings Project Manager for Premier Inn, said:
“We have been seeking a presence in Chesterfield town centre for many years. Being a few days away from opening our doors is a really exciting moment for us, and we can’t wait to welcome the first guests to our latest format Premier Inn in the heart of town.
“Premier Inn hotels in market towns like Chesterfield trade really well. They appeal to a broad mix of business and leisure travellers throughout the year and as our style of accommodation is so flexible, we find that many of our guests eat and drink out when they stay with us, helping to support established businesses.
“Playing a positive role locally, including creating new jobs, and helping to bring the former Co-op store back to life is a win-win for us and we look forward to playing our part in the future success of the town centre.”
Thirty-eight jobs have been created at the new hotel, however jobs will be delivered by the Elder Way development as a whole once completed by Jomast.
Work will now begin on the transformation of the 16,000 sq ft basement and 21,000 sq ft ground floor area into leisure space which Jomast is targeting at independent operators. The ground floor units will all benefit from their own shop fronts/entrances. Additionally, Jomast will be creating a new courtyard area for outside eating/drinking. Chesterfield Borough Council will also be taking forward work to refurbish the public realm to the Elder Way frontage and widen public footpaths.
Mark added:
“We are now in a position to move forward with phase 2 of Elder Way and the transformation of the basement and ground floor into self-contained units. We anticipate high interest from lifestyle and hospitality operators based in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.”
The development is part of the Chesterfield Borough Council-led Northern Gateway scheme which will also see a new multi-storey car park completed this May and work begin in the summer on a new enterprise centre for small to medium sized businesses on part of the site of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.
Huw Bowen, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said:
“It is wonderful to see the former Co-op building being brought back to life.
“We have worked closely with Jomast during the conversion work and the council’s Local Labour policy has ensured that local people have also benefitted through the company’s apprenticeship programme and commitment to locally sourced supplies and services.”
